Unseasonal thunderstorm and hailstorm in Nashik district in Maharashtra on Tuesday has damaged the standing crop, leaving farmers in despair. Some of the affected areas of the state are Jhodge, Satana, Malegaon and Nampur.
According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, an upper air cyclonic circulation led to the hailstorm along with some light rain over parts of north Maharashtra.
State was gearing up for harvesting standing fruit crop of grapes and pomegranate, which now stands destroyed. Horticulture crop has also suffered massive damage.
Though chances of covering up the loss are bleak, ample sunshine might still save some of the horticulture crops that includes onion and wheat. According to latest forecast by Skymet, region will witness clear weather conditions after next 24 hours.
As per Skymet, Maharashtra is prone to hailstorms during the month of October and February when temperatures are moderate and freezing level also comes below three kilometers.
Not too long back in December 2014, heavy rain and hailstorm had destroyed standing fruit and horticulture crop that estimated to be worth around Rs 5000 crore.
Present hailstorm is a setback for the farmers of Maharashtra, as drought in 2014 had already left farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada region in huge debt, forcing many of them to take extreme and desperate steps.
Over 10,000 farmers have been reported to commit suicide between 2001 and 2014 and poor monsoon and vagaries of weather have added to the misery.
However, country is expecting a normal monsoon this year, which has brought a ray of hope for farmers in the drought prone state. Monsoon in India lasts for four months, officially beginning from 1st June till 30th September.
