Published On : Mon, Feb 29th, 2016

Untimely rain, hailstorm batter crops in Saoner area of Nagpur District

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hailstorm batter crops

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Nagpur: Sunday the February 28 added more miseries to farmers in Nagpur District with Saoner area suffering the brunt as untimely rains accompanied with hailstorm battered wheat, chana (gram) and orange crops in many fields. Besides the crops, a variety of vegetables too got damaged due to hailstorm, the second time in recent days.

The areas that took the rain and hailstorm beating include Dhamna and other surrounding areas in Saoner Tehsil. Kalmeshwar, Parshioni Tehsils were also not spared by the whims and fancies of the nature. In the 45-minute rain that hit Saoner area, hailstorm played havoc for 25 minutes and left the standing crops flat. Moreover, the foodgrains, before reaching the homes of the farmers, got damaged in the fields themselves putting the farmers to the loss in lakhs. Now, perilous uncertainty stares the faces of the ravaged farmers.

A survey has revealed that 50-60% of the standing crops have been hit by untimely rains and hailstorm. Wheat plants were most affected as they were just getting ready for harvesting, when the rains arrived during this odd time of the year. The untimely rain accompanied with hailstorm has caused widespread problem of crop lodging, a stage in which the standing plants get damaged. Smaller foodgrain granules and changed colour of the food products will also result in lowering of their market value.