20 Districts of MP Affected by Hailstorm; CM Chauhan Chairs Review Meeting

Persistent hailstorms and rainfall for six days have ruined wheat, gramme, and mustard crops in 20 districts of Madhya Pradesh, according to officials. On March 20, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan convened a high-level meeting to analyse agricultural losses and distribute compensation.

However, a meteorological department scientist stated that the hailstorm was not an unusual occurrence in March, but that the duration of rainfall and hailstorms had grown from an average of three days per year to six to eight days this year.

"Hailstorm and rains in March is not unusual but this year its duration is greater causing difficulty for farmers. Two western disturbances combined with moisture from the Gulf of Bengal resulted in a longer-lasting hailstorm. "A third western disturbance is emerging, and rain and hailstorms will lash half of Madhya Pradesh until March 24," said Ved Prakash Singh, scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhopal.

Farmers are terrified due to the prolonged hailstorm and rain. On Sunday, a hailstorm pelted portions of Dindori and Khargone, turning farm fields white as snow.

"There has been information regarding untimely rain and hailstorm in 20 areas of the state. The first episode of precipitation between March 6 and 8 has been surveyed. "The second phase survey has begun," the chief minister announced.

"The government of Madhya Pradesh stands with our agricultural brothers and sisters. There should be no carelessness in the survey, and it should be completed completely honestly. The list should be posted in the panchayat office once the survey is completed. If any farmer objects to the survey conclusions, the issue should be rectified," he stressed.

The CM stated that the survey must be completed by March 25, after which the compensation will be distributed.

Meanwhile, the revenue officials tasked with conducting the survey went on strike, seeking the restoration of the old pension scheme, promotion, and pay raises. "We will shortly fix this situation," stated Tax Department Principal Secretary Manish Rastogi.