crop damage reporting

Rs 25,000 Crore Spent, But Less Than One-Third Reaches Tenant Ryots

Unseasonal rain, hailstorms and heatwaves during April-May adversely impacted fruit crops across the country. From Bihar to Maharashtra, TOI visits orchards to assess the extent of damage and its economic cost

In a shocking turn of events, East Champaran recently faced a powerful thunderstorm accompanied by fierce gales, wreaking havoc across the region. Hundreds of homes suffered significant damage, while over 400 fruit trees, including mango and litchi, were uprooted. The Patahi and Fenhara blocks were hit hardest, leaving standing crops in a state of despair.

Haryana is emerging as an ozone hotspot, with 12 out of 30 monitoring stations exceeding national standards in May. Nathu Colony in Ballabhgarh recorded the seventh-highest ground-level ozone concentration in India. This secondary pollutant, formed by sunlight-driven reactions, poses a growing summer air quality challenge.

India's economic outlook is darkening due to rising oil prices, fertilizer costs, and supply disruptions from the Iran conflict. Economists warn of escalating inflation, slower growth, and strained government finances. The nation, heavily reliant on oil imports, faces significant economic challenges as global energy prices surge, impacting its balance of payments and fiscal health.

The southwest monsoon is advancing across India, bringing widespread rainfall to southern and northeastern regions. Meanwhile, heatwave conditions persist in parts of northwest and central India. Extremely heavy rainfall is forecast for Karnataka, with heavy showers expected in many other states, while thunderstorms and strong winds will also affect several areas.