They inspected damaged jowar and groundnut crops in Balayapalli, Savishettipalle, Amagampally villages in Kasinayana mandal and at Rangasamudram village in Porumamilla mandal.
The team also interacted with the MGNREGA workers at the villages and enquired about their problems like drinking water, number of days of work being provided to them, and payment of wages.
Explaining the situation to the members of the central team, district collector T Babu Rao Naidu said crop in 11,400 acres worth Rs 83 crore got damaged due to drought and floods in the district in 2017 rabi season and requested for assistance to the affected areas.
Other farmers also explained the team their problems and appealed for help.
B R Srivastava assured them that they would apprise the Centre of the enormity of drought situation.
Meanwhile, another central team led by Dr B Rajender, which visited Prakasam district, opined that drought in the district was severe.
“Especially, Markapuram and Giddalur regions of western parts of the district, the water scarcity is pronounced.
With depleting groundwater levels, water is being supplied using 422 tankers.
With regard to horticulture crops, the loss was estimated to be Rs 67 crore.
Deficit rainfall in the district only added to the woes of the farmers.