More than a dozen people died as unprecedented, unseasonal rain and hailstorm lashed parts of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Punjab over the past weekend. Rain coupled with sharp drop in temperatures has posed threat to ripe rabi crop that was ready for harvest.
Standing rabi crop like wheat, mustard, potato and gram have been damaged in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Farmers are expected to bear output loss of 20-60% in the wake of this last spell. More than 20 districts have faced the brunt of heavy rain on their crops as output is likely to be adversely affected.
While 12 people died in Rajasthan due to rain, lightning and hailstorm, 2 have been reported dead in Uttarakhand as rain lashed the hilly state in last 24 hours.
Hailstorm in Nashik and other parts of Maharashtra also did not spare the onion, pomegranate and grape crop. Since the beginning of March, the state has been witnessing unwanted rain and last spell of rain lead to a surprise bout of ravaged grape crops in vineyards in Nashik belt.
The video below shows that the Nashik city was covered in a white sheet of hail.
According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, cyclonic circulation over North Rajasthan and western disturbance over hilly states and plains of North India has led to rainfall in North and Northwest India.
More rainfall expected
Rainfall in last 24 hours in parts of Rajasthan includes Bundi – 15 mm, Churu – 13 mm, Kota – 17 mm and Tonk 54 mm.
In Maharashtra, while Nashik and other districts received hailstorms on Saturday, other parts received light to moderate rainfall in last 24 hours. While Wardha received 4 mm of rain, Nagpur received 8 mm of rain where harvest of oranges has been impacted by untimely rain in last few days.
Rain also lashed parts of Punjab where Amritsar received 2.2 mm of rain and Ludhiana received 10 mm of rain in last 24 hours.
According to Skymet, more rain in expected in next 24 hours which is likely to severely affect the ready crop.
