Hailstorms follow droughts in Marathwada
Aurangbad,9 March........The unseasonal rain has crippled farmers in Marathwada,who had suffered due to the drought .The unseasonal rains and hailstorms have been battering for the past 10-12 days.
All the districts of the region have been severly hit.hailstorms and stormy weather have damaged crop on lakhs of hectares.Rabi crops,which were ready for harvest have been ruined .Farmers have become homeless following damage to their homes.Hundreds of the cattle died due to hailstorms.Hence,the government must provide succour to these farmers on war footing .
All the district in the region suffered more or less due to drought in the past two years...
In 2012,the kharif crops withered while sowing could not take place in the rabi season.the previous year had also seen a drought.Farmers bore the brunt of this.In 2013,the region received satisfactory rain.Farmers were hoping to reap a good harvest this year.but the nature's futy dashed their hopes as wheat,jowar,maize crops were totally damaged.sweet lime and pomagranate orchards resembled the fall.http://ow.ly/i/4Qoo5
Sowing in the Rabi season was done in 19 lakh hectares. Over 50 per cent of this area has been hit. Around 3.75 lakh hectare was affected till March 3, as it was officially conveyed by the revenue department to the state government. The unseasonal rains and hailstorms have continued till date.
The worst-hit districts are Parbhani, Osmanabad, Latur and Jalna. The remaining four districts have also suffered heavy losses. Horticulture plants, which somehow survived the drought, have been reduced to trunks. Orchards in Aurangabad, Jalna, Osmanabad and Latur districts suffered very heavily.
The damage is not restricted to crops. Hailstorms claimed over 200 cattle in the region. Hundreds of cows, buffaloes, goats, ship were hurt. The heavy rains claimed eight lives too. Hundreds of houses were damaged. Over 700 houses were damaged till March 3, as reported by the government agencies.
Farmers have lost hope of any revival from this. Hence, the governemnt will have to take steps to lessen their suffering immediately.
Double whammy for orchards
Orchards were damaged extensively due to hailstorms. The preceeding drought for two years had already hit these. Orchards on 20,000 acres had dried up due to water scarcity. Farmers had save the remaining crop after buying tanker water, which have now been flattened. Particularly, sweet lime growers in Aurangabad and Jalna and grape growers in Osmanabad have suffered major losses. The governemnt didn't extend any help for withered orchards. Farmers hope tht at least now, the state would declare compensation.
