Telangana administration on high alert as cyclone approaches

With the cyclone expected to bring unseasonal rains across Telangana, the state government has directed officials to take all necessary precautions to prevent damage to standing and harvested crops.

Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday held a video conference from Hyderabad with Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, and senior officials to review crop procurement operations and preparedness at purchase centers. District Collectors also participated in the meeting, including Jagitial Collector B. Satyaprasad.

Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said that due to the cyclone’s impact, Telangana could experience heavy rains over the next two days. He instructed district collectors to ensure that paddy, cotton, and maize kept at procurement centers are protected from rain damage.

“The centers should be equipped with sufficient tarpaulin covers and other facilities to prevent crop loss,” he said. The minister directed that all designated procurement centers be made fully operational and that any shortage of basic infrastructure be reported immediately.Civil Supplies officials have been told to promptly address any issues faced by farmers and to keep the Civil Supplies Commissioner informed of ground-level developments.

Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao urged farmers, especially in eastern Telangana, to delay harvesting as heavy rains are likely in the next couple of days. For crops already harvested, he advised officials to ensure immediate weighing and purchase, provided they meet quality standards.

“We are trying our best to ensure that farmers do not incur any losses. Procurement is being carried out at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Also, strict checks are in place to prevent traders from neighboring states from selling their produce here,” the minister said.

Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao said the government will procure large quantities of paddy, cotton, and maize at MSP directly from farmers. The bulk of procurement is expected to take place over the next 45 to 60 days, he noted.

He also mentioned that, with the support of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), cotton purchase centers have been established across the state. Given the cyclone’s potential impact over the next few days, Rao urged officials to ensure that procurement centers remain safe and functional.

He added that “Kapas Kisan”, a mobile app-based slot booking system, is currently being used for cotton procurement. Agricultural extension officers have been instructed to collect updated mobile numbers of farmers in each village to facilitate timely scheduling and smooth operations.