Untimely rain, hailstorm destroy acres of farmland in Maharashtra

Unseasonal rains and hailstorm has damaged acres of farmland in Maharashtra.

The worst affected is the onion crop, which has been destroyed in tonnes in the state's Nagpur belt.

Several parts of the state, including Marathwada, Khandesh and Vidharbha have received heavy rainfall in the past few days, destroying standing winter crops and horticulture.

Incessant rainfall with lightning and hailstorm lashed Aurangabad district on Saturday night where wheat, grams, onion and orchards plantation has been destroyed.

"It has been raining heavily for the past four-five days in Maharashtra and the farmers are passing through a trying time. The untimely rains have damaged the standing crops like wheat, grain etc. The orange farm fields have also been damaged in Kolhapur, Satara. Grape farms are also ruined in Nashik. If this continues, farmers may face huge monetary loss. The government is also not helping us and hailstorms have been damaging acres of farmland," said farmer leader, Jayaji Rao Suryasanshi.

The most vulnerable-wheat-was sowed in the first week of November and was ready for harvest. But the untimely rains are most likely to bring down the output.

"Over 100 tonnes of onion has been damaged, last night it rained heavily. The onion has been completely destroyed. There are 10-15 villages in the river belt. All its farmlands have been ruined," said farmer, Dhanajay Sonda Patil.

Though this unseasonal rain has adversely affected agriculture but it is estimated that the horticulture of the country may gain from it. Mangoes and Litchi may give a good yield this season due to the rains.