Ranchi, Dec 10 (IANS): A Central team that visited Jharkhand has confirmed that the standing crops have been damaged due to drought, a state official said here on Monday.

The team, led by Agriculture Joint Secretary Atish Chandra, visited seven districts to assess the ground situation.

Before returning to New Delhi, the team held a meeting with state government officials here on Sunday.

"The Central team visited the districts and admitted that crops were damaged due to drought. The team has sought some more information which will be provided to them," Sudhir Tripathy, Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, told the media.

State government sources said that the team has promised to submit a report to the Agriculture Ministry in 10 days so that Rs 818 crore relief funds sought by Jharkhand could be released.

The team met Chief Minister Raghubar Das last week.

The Jharkhand government had already declared 216 blocks of 18 districts as drought affected.