Khammam, December 29: Crop loss and debts claimed five more lives in the state today _ four in Khammam district and one in Karimnagar district.
S Satyanarayana (52), a resident of Vedanthapuram in Aswapuram mandal in Khammam district raised tobacco in 12 acres and paddy in five acres.
The untimely rains damaged his crops. He was mentally upset and died due to cardiac arrest on his fields today. He is survived by wife and three daughters.
Tenant farmer B Balya (55), a resident of Narli thanda in Konijerla mandal, committed suicide by consuming pesticide and the reason was crop damage.
He cultivated cotton in 1.5 acres and paddy in 2 acres, and incurred a debt of Rs 1 lakh.
Another tenant farmer, T Kotaiah (50), a resident of Pandurangapuram died of cardiac arrest at his home today. He raised cotton and paddy in six acres. Due to rains his crops were damaged.
He is survived by his wife and two children. Anther farmer, R Venkaiah (60), a resident of Mudigonda died of cardiac arrest on his fields today reportedly due to crop damage.
At Eklaspur in Manthani mandal in Karimnagar district, a cotton farmer, Siddam Rajender (32), committed suicide having been distressed over the crop loss and unable to withstand debts. He cultivated cotton crop in his 6-acre land but lost all the crop in the heavy rains.
–Agencies