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Chouhan Reviews Crop Damage as Freak Rains, Hail Hit Wheat Harvest

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed officials to assess extensive crop damage caused by unseasonal rains and hailstorms across several states. The standing rabi crop, particularly wheat, has been hit in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, affecting thousands of farmers. In Uttar Pradesh alone, damage spans over 4,000 hectares across 17 districts, with Lalitpur district being severely impacted. The adverse weather, triggered by a western disturbance, has also delayed wheat harvesting in Punjab as wet fields prevent machinery operation.

Key Points: Shivraj Chouhan Reviews Crop Damage from Unseasonal Rains

  • Crop damage in UP, Punjab & Haryana
  • Over 4,000 hectares affected in UP alone
  • Wheat harvest delayed in Punjab
  • Damage triggered by western disturbance
2 min read

Shivraj Singh Chouhan takes stock of crop damage due to freak rains, hailstorms

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directs assessment of crop damage from hailstorms and heavy rains in UP, Punjab, and Haryana, affecting thousands of farmers.

"Farmers need not worry... in this hour of crisis, the Modi government stands with them. - Official Statement"

New Delhi, April 5

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed officials of his Ministry to review the damage caused to farmers' crops by unseasonal rains and hailstorms across several states, according to an official statement issued on Sunday.

The minister has instructed officials to contact authorities in the concerned states and gather information on the extent of damage caused to crops by heavy rain and hailstorms.

Chouhan has assured farmers in the affected states that they need not worry, and that in this hour of crisis, the Modi government stands with them, the statement said.

The minister will also discuss the matter of crop damage, due to hailstorms and heavy rains, with the agriculture ministers of the concerned states.

Unseasonal rain and hail across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana is reported to have caused damage to the standing rabi crop, which includes wheat.

Crops are reported to have been hit in over 4,053.11 hectares across 17 districts in Uttar Pradesh, affecting 14,207 farmers. Lalitpur district in the state has emerged as one of the worst-affected with crop damage recorded across 1,650.75 hectares, impacting 3,142 farmers, said officials. The district recorded around 118.6 mm rainfall in March against a normal of about 30.3 mm -- a departure of nearly 291 per cent above normal. Apart from Lalitpur, crop loss has been reported in Saharanpur, where 11 hectares were affected, including about 44 farmers in five villages.

Similarly, unseasonal heavy rainfall accompanied by hailstorms and strong winds has disrupted wheat harvesting across Punjab, raising serious concerns among farmers as the crop enters its final stage of ripening.

The wheat crop, which has already matured in several parts of the state and is in the last phase of ripening in remaining areas, is now facing delays in harvesting due to wet field conditions. Farmers said that continued rainfall has made it difficult to operate harvesting machinery, pushing back the harvesting schedule.

The adverse weather has been triggered by a western disturbance, which is an extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea and Black Sea regions. The westerly winds bring in sudden rain to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Good to see the minister taking immediate notice. But this is a recurring problem every few years. We need a permanent solution, maybe crop insurance schemes that actually pay out without hassle and better weather forecasting for farmers.
M
Michael C
Reading about the 291% above normal rainfall is staggering. Climate change is making these "freak" events more common. The support for farmers is crucial, but long-term adaptation strategies for Indian agriculture are even more important.
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Suresh O
My cousin is a farmer in Punjab. He says the combine harvesters can't enter the wet fields. The entire year's hard work is just lying there, getting damaged. Hope the state and central governments coordinate properly for relief.
A
Anjali F
Standing with farmers is the right sentiment, but the proof will be in the payout. The process for claiming crop damage compensation is often so bureaucratic and slow. This time, it should be made simple and direct. 🤞
K
Karthik V
This will affect wheat prices in the coming months for sure. The government needs to manage buffer stocks carefully to prevent inflation. Jai Kisan.

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