HAILSTORMS, RAIN DESTROY CROPS IN NINE MAHA DISTRICTS

Unseasonal rain and hailstorms in nine districts of Marathwada, western Maha rashtra and Vidarbha left a trail of destruction as standing crops on 97,164 hectares of farm land were damaged two weeks ago according to a fresh report sub mitted to the state government by district administrations Although the monetary loss to farmers has not been ascer tained, an official pegged it to a few hundred crores.

The state government wil soon request the Centre for financial aid.

Major cereal crops such as jowar, green gram and wheat were worst hit. Vegetable, maze sugarcane and fruit orchards of grapes, banana, mango, pome granate were largely damaged in the rain that lasted for about four days. A total of 31,560 hectares of farm land in Latur and 23,229 hectares in Beed, both in Mara thwada, bore the major brunt of unseasonal showers and hail storms. The state will survey the damages to ensure immediate help to farmers.

“We have received the pri mary report of the loss due to the hailstorm and the unseasona rains. Once the final report is prepared, we will start distribut ing compensation to farmers,” said an official from the agricul ture department. The official said the monetary relief will come from the National Disaster Respone Fund without waiting for the Centre. He said about 20% of the lost crop was insured under Prime Minister’s insur ance scheme.

Minister of state for agricul ture Sadashiv Khot, said, “We are planning a review meeting next week. For transparency, we have directed the district admin istration to display the reports of the loss in the local gram pancha yats.”