M’wada rain: 2 dead, 41 cattle killed & crops lost on 11,000 ha

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: One person each from Hingoli and Nanded districts along with a total of 41 cattles died due to lightning from March 16 up to Friday due to unseasonal rains and hailstorm that lashed several parts of Marathwada.As per early official estimates, agricultural damage on over 11,572 hectare has also taken place in the region. At least 20,896 farmers from across 543 villagers in the region have been impacted.Rita Metrewar, additional commissioner (revenue) for Marathwada, said the final figures of crop and horticulture damage could go up after panchanamas are performed in different affected areas. "The compensation towards the loss of human lives and cattles will be doled out as per standing instructions. A consolidated data of agrarian losses will be sent to the state govt after panchanamas are over for further action," she told TOI on Friday.Deepika Sanjay Rathod (16), a resident of Shilvani village in Degloor taluka of Nanded district, and Gulab Masarao Markad (33), a resident of Patonda village in Hingoli district, have been identified as victims of lightning during the period. The early assessment shows Sambhajinagar district has suffered maximum agriculture losses spread over 8,455 hectare, followed by Jalna (1,364 hectare), Dharashiv (1,509 hectare), Beed (156 hectare), Latur (52 hectare) and Nanded (34 hectare). "No data of possible crop damage was available for Hingoli and Parbhani districts so far," the authorities said.Farmers' leader Jayaji Suryawanshi said the crop loan waiver scheme announced by state govt in the latest budget should factor in the latest agricultural damage in Marathwada and other parts. "The scheme had a cut-off date of Sept 30 last year and it needs to be extended. Also, the upper limit of Rs 2 lakh for the farm loan waiver must be increased," he said.