Unexpected rains ruin harvest

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Unexpected hailstorms and sudden rains in North Karnataka have led to severe damage of ready-to-harvest crops.

Chilli, corn, tomato and pearl millet are among crops that have been affected, causing much inconvenience to farmers. Doddappa, a farmer from Tokapur village, claimed that his ripe tomato crop had been destroyed due to the rains. He said that he managed to grow his harvest in an area of five acres by taking out a loan of Rs 8-10 lakh.

Now, Doddappa is requesting financial assistance from the government as he has no other means. This is not an isolated incident. Many other small-time farmers in North Karnataka have been affected by the sudden rains and hailstorms, and have demanded compensation from the government.

Untimely precipitation was experienced by many districts in North Karnataka, including Bidar and Kalaburagi, since Friday evening. Hailstones have resulted in damaging to standing matured crops. The unexpected rains have also caused damage to other properties, like vehicles, to increase the problems of farmers.