Hailstorms, unseasonal rains hit farmers

The government estimating the damage figure to be around Rs 1,000 crore.

Cash crops standing on several acres of farmland in parts of Marathwada and northern parts of the state suffered heavy damage with another spell of unseasonal rains and hailstorms on Saturday, which could deepen the agriculture crisis in the state further.

According to the government’s initial assessment of the damage, there had been extensive destruction of crops like wheat, grapes, onion, pomegranates, and turmeric in the districts of Aurangabad and Nashik.

Heavy rains had ravaged rabi crops in several parts of the state last week with the government estimating the damage figure to be around Rs 1,000 crore. The fresh spell would also compound problems for the debt-ridden Maharashtra government.

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Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Eknath Khadse has already said the state might have to bear the entire burden of compensation for the damage caused due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms since it was not eligible for relief under the central government norms.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier warned the state government regarding the possibility of rains and hailstorms in parts of the state on March 13 and 14.

The government is already facing opposition fire for delay in securing compensation package from centre for drought that had ravaged kharif crops, especially in Marathwada and Vidarbha belts.

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