Untimely rains in Maharashtra damage crops in 1 lakh ha

Untimely rains and hailstorm have caused damage to the rabi (winter) crops in over 1 lakh hectare in Maharashtra, especially in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, a senior Union Agriculture Ministry official said today.
"We have received a report from Maharashtra. About 1.08 lakh hectare has been damaged due to unseasonal rains and hailstorm," the official told PTI.
Much of the damage has been reported in parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha, he said, adding that the rabi crops - chana and wheat - have been hit.
This is just a preliminary assessment of the damage, the full report is yet to be received from the state government, he said

Besides Maharashtra, the official said, there were reports of some damage to rabi crops in Madhya Pradesh.
The rabi crops will be ready for harvest from next month. In some states like Gujarat, wheat harvesting has begun.