Rajasthan: Rain & hail leave farmers jittery over crop damage

JAIPUR/JAISALMER: People in western Rajasthan woke up amidst moderate showers and hailstorm on Thursday morning. The continued change in the weather made the farmers jittery as they apprehended damage of crops. Jaipur Met office said that similar conditions will prevail in the state in the next couple of days.

People in Barmer and Jaisalmer witnessed hailstorm and rainfall for the second consecutive day. There were also incidents of lightening in which at least four farmers sustained injuries while many birds and cattle were killed in various parts of these districts.

Barmer collector also declared holiday due to heavy rains. There were also reports of accumulation of water in the low-lying areas and normal life has been affected due to rains. Rainfall in November is unprecedented during this period frost and cold wave conditions are witnessed.

Farmers in Churu, Sriganganagar, Bikaner , Jaisalmer, Barmer and Jodhpur complained that the sudden rainfall and hailstorm played a spoilsport to the crop of guar, groundnut, jeera and Isabgol.

Lighting and thunderstorm were witnessed for more than four hours while at least a dozen incidents of lightning were also been reported at various parts of western Rajasthan.

At Chohatan in Barmer four villagers suffered burn injuries after they were struck by lightning. More than 500 villages in westen Rajasthan witnessed hail as entire desert was covered with it.

Attributing the climatic change to the active upper air cyclonic circulation, Jaipur met office said that similar conditions will prevail in the state in the next 24 hours.