Windstorm damages crops worth ₹100 crore in Rajasthan
JAIPUR: Crops worth ₹100 crore were damaged, more than 750 electric poles collapsed and 1,100 trees were uprooted in Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts due to the windstorm that hit western and eastern parts of Rajasthan, officials said on Wednesday.
“After Tuesday midnight, a sudden storm of 75 km per hour speed hit Bikaner town and did not give farmers a chance to recover. Preliminary assessment reveals that crops worth more than ₹100 crore were destroyed, over 750 electric poles collapsed, over 1,100 trees uprooted. Dozens of poly houses and solar plants have also suffered extensive damage, 120 villages are in darkness due to breakdown of electricity poles. Complaints of electricity have reached from 1,100 ruralurban area,” said an official of the Bikaner district administration.
A government official from Jaisalmer said, “On late Monday night, a storm hit Jaisalmer at a speed of 60 to 70 km/hour, which caused devastation in Jaisalmer.
Roofs of many kutcha houses were blown away, crops in huge quantity were damaged and harvested produce in the field was also blown away. At the same time, a large number of electric poles and trees were razed.”
Chief minister Ashok Gehlot has given instructions to assess the damage caused by hail and heavy rains in various districts of the state. He instructed district collectors to help people quickly by conducting a special girdawari (assessment).
On Tuesday night, Gehlot had reviewed the damages caused by the windstorm in various districts of the state.
Preliminary assessment reveals that crops worth more than ₹100 crores were destroyed Over 750 electric poles collapsed, over 1,100 trees uprooted. Dozens of poly houses and solar plants have also suffered extensive damage
120 villages are in darkness due to breakdown of electricity poles Complaints of electricity have reached from 1100 rural-urban area
“Special Girdawari work should be completed as soon as possible to provide compensation to the affected people as per rules,” he said.
Principal secretary, revenue, Anand Kumar said, “Preliminary information has been received about losses in Jaisalmer, Kota, Bikaner, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur and other districts.
Along with this, instructions have been given to district collectors to send a special report as soon as possible.”
According to the meteorological department, the adverse weather conditions will normalise by Wednesday evening and the sky will be clear. There is no possibility of thunderstorm or rains for next one week, said an official. Due to northernly winds and humidity in the atmosphere, there will be a drop in temperatures for a few days before the summer heat will take over, the official added.
After rains on Tuesday, the mercury level in Jaipur dropped by 9 degrees Celsius.