Rain, hailstorm batter standing crops in UP
Chief minister asks all district magistrates to provide financial assistance to the affected people
LUCKNOW: Unseasonal rains accompanied by hailstorm and strong winds lashed several parts of UP on Friday causing widespread damage to standing crops of wheat and mustard.
The freak weather was caused by western disturbances, said Met department officials.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath asked all district magistrates to assess the damage to crops, cattle and directed them to provide immediate relief to the affected people.
Districts like Pilibhit, Sitapur, Chandauli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Bijnor and Jaunpur were severely affected by inclement weather conditions.
Ram Saran, a progressive farmer of Barabanki, said: “Standing crops of wheat and mustard have been damaged by the rains. Farmers who have sown potatoes will also be affected.”
While rains mad dry wheat moist and facilitated germination that harmed the produce, hailstorm caused physical harm to crops and reduces their growth, said farmers.
The inclement weather was likely to affect the mango producing belt in Lucknow also, they apprehended. In Lucknow, hailstorm was reported from Old City areas and some rural pockets while heavy rainfall brought down the temperature in the evening.
The showers also led to water-logging and disruption in
power and telecom services in the city. According to state meteorological department, Lucknow recorded a maximum temperature of 23.3 degrees Celsius, which was 8.4 degrees lower than normal while the minimum was at 17.4 degrees, 2.1
degree above normal.Met department issued warning of hailstorm, rain and gusty wind conditions prevailing for another 24 hours in the state. JP Gupta, MET director, said the weather will be clear after Saturday.