A severe hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain wreaked havoc across more than 20 districts in Madhya Pradesh, including Shivpuri, Tikamgarh, Datia, Chhattarpur, and Guna, over the past weekend. The storm, which lasted for 96 hours, led to widespread destruction of crops, leaving farmers like Kashiram Kushwaha from Maunpura village in Niwari district in despair.
The agricultural damage is extensive, with reports indicating that up to 50% of crops have been destroyed. In Tikamgarh district alone, where wheat is cultivated across 192,000 hectares and mustard over 22,900 hectares, farmers are estimating a 10% loss in wheat and a 25% loss in mustard. The situation is similar in Datia, where the hailstorm has particularly affected wheat, mustard, gram, and lentils.
The impact of the storm has prompted farmers to demand immediate compensation. In Guna, their protests led to the blockade of the Ashoknagar main road, which required police intervention to resolve. The emotional toll on the farming community is palpable, with farmer Arvind Parihar from Tikamgarh stating, “My entire crop has been flattened… 15-20 bighas of chana have been destroyed… I am just waiting for the survey and compensation from the government.”
The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh officials from Punasa submitted a request to the SDM for a crop survey due to damage caused by unexpected rain. The Revenue and Agriculture Department has started surveying the crops. Farmers in the Harsud region are badly affected by hailstorms. Patwaris are conducting field surveys and will send reports to the government. Affected farmers will receive insurance and relief, according to Kashiram Badaule, ADM, Khandwa.
The Madhya Pradesh government, under the direction of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, has instructed district collectors to conduct an immediate survey to assess the damage.
The compensation process is underway, with assurances that payments will be made within 24 hours following the completion of the surveys. The insurance companies and the revenue department are set to provide the compensation, with the largest number of requests coming from Hamirpur district.
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