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News Topical, Digital Desk : Heavy rain and hailstorms damaged crops in several states across the country, including North India, on Friday. In Uttar Pradesh, the changing weather over the past 24 hours left wheat crops flattened in many areas and mustard crops stored in the fields soaked.
The storm and rain caused mango blossoms to fall. The rain is also likely to damage wheat crops and mango and litchi trees in Sitamarhi, Shivhar, and Muzaffarpur in Bihar.
10 people died due to lightning in Uttar Pradesh
Meanwhile, lightning killed 10 people in Uttar Pradesh. Prayagraj reported the highest number of deaths, with three. Amroha reported two deaths, followed by Jaunpur, Mirzapur, Shravasti, Bahraich, and Balrampur, with one death each. Eight people were burned by lightning.
In Haryana, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds damaged thousands of acres of wheat crops in Yamunanagar, Charkhi Dadri, Jhajjar, Hansi, Hisar, Jind, Bhiwani, and Bahadurgarh. Waterlogging in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, is said to have damaged tomato, bell pepper, cauliflower, and pea crops.
Hailstorms struck Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh, while a thunderstorm struck Sheopur. Crops were laid waste. Grape-sized hailstones in Barwani caused the most damage to wheat, chickpeas, and maize.
Farmers in Dhar are estimating losses of 10 to 15 percent. However, in Chhattisgarh, crops were not significantly affected due to the small size of the hailstones. Punjab and Jammu are considering the rain beneficial. The rainfall in Punjab did not cause any damage to the wheat crop.
According to agricultural experts, the wheat crop is currently developing grains. Therefore, mild coolness and moisture are needed. The rain has also met irrigation needs. The continuous rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir since the first week of March is being considered beneficial for crops.
If it rains like this for two or three days, mustard, wheat, potatoes, chickpeas, and lentils, along with cucurbit crops like muskmelon, watermelon, cucumber, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, and bitter gourd, are likely to suffer significant damage. - Dr. Satyendra Kumar Singh, Agricultural Scientist, Chandrabhanu Gupta College of Agriculture, Lucknow
Agriculture Minister gave instructions to assess the crop loss
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday directed officials to coordinate with state governments to accurately assess the damage caused to standing Rabi crops due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms in several states.
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting on the country's agriculture situation, Chouhan said adverse weather has affected many states at a time when crops were ripe and ready for harvesting.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, "Our focus is not only on production, but also on scientific assessment of crop damage, accurate insurance claims, and prompt assistance to farmers. However, state governments provide assistance through their respective State Disaster Relief Funds (SDRF)."
Chauhan further said that the Meteorological Department has issued a warning of two more western disturbances and officials have been instructed to remain alert and issue advisories to farmers.
Shopping will start soon
Regarding procurement, the minister said that government procurement of wheat and paddy will start soon as the production of Rabi crops has been exceptionally high this season, according to a government statement.
Regarding tur, lentils, and urad, he said agencies including NAFED and NCCF will procure every crop sold by farmers, ensuring that market prices do not fall below the MSP. Chauhan also stressed the need to focus on quality rather than quantity.
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