Unseasonal rain and hailstorm cause significant crop loss in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Prayagraj District, the most populous district in the Uttar Pradesh state of India, has been hit by heavy unseasonal rain and hailstorm that devastated the farming community on March 19 and again on March 21, 2023. The natural calamity has caused extensive damage to crops of over 10 030 farmers in the region.

According to the initial findings of the survey, crops worth Rs 6.86 crore ($900 000 USD) have been destroyed due to the unseasonal rain and hailstorm on March 19. The loss is expected to increase manifold owing to the rain and hailstorm that hit the region again on March 21.

Officials reported that the rain and hailstorm greatly affected rural areas of Lalapur, Jasra, Gauhaniya, Bara, Chidi, and Shankargarh areas of the trans-Yamuna region.

The assessment made by the agriculture department revealed that 30 to 50% of the crops of oilseeds and pulses along with wheat had been destroyed. The mango blossoms were also hit, which is expected to impact the production of mangoes this year.

The loss of crops and damage caused to the farming community is a significant setback to the district’s economy. The district administration has promised to take the necessary steps to provide relief to the farmers.

References:

¹ Crops of over 10,000 farmers destroyed in unseasonal rain – Times of India – March 23, 2023

Featured image credit: Colin Lloyd