Unexpected Rainfall Leads to Significant Crop Damage in Telangana
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Synopsis
Unseasonal rains and strong winds have wreaked havoc on Telangana's crops, leading farmers to seek government aid for their losses. Hailstorms and thunderstorms have compounded the damage, with many farmers reporting total crop loss.
Key Takeaways
- Unseasonal rain has caused severe crop damage in Telangana.
- Affected farmers are appealing for government assistance.
- Hailstorms have particularly impacted paddy, maize, and mango crops.
- Heavy rain has led to power outages due to damaged infrastructure.
- An orange alert has been issued for further storms in the region.
Hyderabad, March 23 (NationPress) Unexpected rainfall along with strong winds has resulted in extensive damage to crops in Telangana, leaving affected farmers seeking government assistance for compensation.
Hailstorms have affected northern districts of Telangana over the past two days, severely impacting standing crops of paddy, maize, and mango.
Previously, some crops in various districts were suffering due to insufficient irrigation and declining groundwater levels. However, the recent unseasonal rain has obliterated whatever crops the farmers had managed to cultivate.
Thunderstorms, coupled with lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 km/h, have caused significant losses for farmers as their standing crops became submerged. The hailstorms in certain districts have further exacerbated the challenges faced by farmers.
Mango growers have reported substantial losses due to strong winds that have uprooted trees across several districts. Farmers mentioned that the hailstorms struck the mango crops, which were nearing harvest.
Paddy stored in market yards was also soaked by the unseasonal rain in various locations.
The strong winds additionally damaged electric poles and transformers, resulting in power outages.
Hundreds of bags of paddy and maize at the Sangareddy market yard were also soaked, leading to considerable losses for farmers. The district experienced heavy rainfall, accompanied by lightning and gusty winds.
In Kamareddy district, maize crops were submerged due to the unseasonal rainfall. One farmer expressed that he lost everything in just 30 minutes of hailstorm.
The affected farmers have called upon the government for assistance in compensating their losses.
Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari assessed the situation following the hailstorm in northern Telangana and directed district administrations to remain vigilant and accessible to the public due to predictions of further rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers in isolated areas over the next two days.
It has issued an orange alert for the northern districts of Telangana.
According to the Met Office, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 km/h) and hailstorms are highly likely to occur in isolated areas of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, and Jangaon districts.
