AP Cyclone: Extensive damage to crops, Agr. Minister seeks Centre's assistance

Vijayawada, Oct 28 (UNI) Severe Cyclone Arnab has caused extensive damage to agricultural and horticultural crops across Andhra Pradesh, prompting State Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu to seek immediate financial assistance from the Centre for affected farmers. In a letter to union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Atchannaidu said preliminary reports indicated that crops over 2,24,489 hectares had been inundated or damaged in 14 districts, affecting about 3.45 lakh farmers. Of the affected area, 2,11,726 hectares were agricultural crops, including 2,09,460 hectares of paddy. West Godavari reported the highest damage at 76,176 hectares, followed by Konaseema district with…