Unseasonal rain and hail took away the smile of farmers, wheat crop ruined in many states including UP-Punjab:

News India Live, Digital Desk: The unseasonal rains and hailstorms that have been continuing for the last two weeks in many parts of the country including North India have broken the backs of farmers. This pattern of weather, which started from the second half of March, has now become a period for farming. There has been huge damage to the finished wheat crop in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, due to which the farmers are on the verge of becoming dependent on food grains.

It rained during harvesting, ‘gold’ got drenched

This rain occurred at a time when the wheat crop in the fields was fully ripe. In many areas, harvesting had already started and the crops were lying in the open in the fields or barns. Due to rain and hail, the standing crops have been scattered in the fields, due to which the risk of grains turning black and quality deteriorating has increased. Agricultural experts believe that at this time the crop needed strong sunlight, but the rain has dashed all hopes.

Echo of compensation in Haryana and Punjab

Heavy rains have been recorded in districts of Haryana like Hisar, Rohtak, Gurugram and Sonipat. There has also been heavy damage to crops in Firozpur and Muktsar Sahib of Punjab. Farmers have now taken to the streets and are demanding proper compensation from the government by immediately conducting a special Girdawari (survey). It is a matter of concern that the Meteorological Department has warned of another round of rain on 3rd and 4th April, which can destroy even the remaining crops.

Huge devastation in 21 districts of UP, government started survey

The situation is even more serious in Uttar Pradesh. The state government has admitted that so far 21 districts have been badly affected by this unseasonal rain. Along with wheat, mustard and mango crops have also been damaged in the districts of Lucknow, Prayagraj, Meerut, Saharanpur and Chitrakoot divisions. On the instructions of the Chief Minister, survey work has been started in the affected areas so that relief money can be provided to the farmers as soon as possible.

‘Tandav’ in Maharashtra and MP also

This havoc of nature is not limited to North India only. According to the reports so far in Maharashtra, about 64 thousand hectares of crops have been destroyed. Apart from wheat, this includes jowar, onion and fruit orchards. Similar sad news is coming from Madhya Pradesh, where hailstorm has ruined the crops sown in the fields.