CM: Doppler weather radars in five cities

Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday announced that Doppler Weather Radars will be installed in Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Jhansi and Azamgarh to enable accurate weather forecasting and identify lightning-prone areas.He made the announcement after distributing compensation worth Rs 285 crore to 2.51 lakh farmers under 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana' (Kharif-2025). Yogi also provided financial assistance amounting to Rs 175 crore to 3,500 beneficiary families under 'Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana'. Yogi added that setting up of 450 Automatic Weather Stations and nearly 2,000 Automatic Rain Gauges at the block level across the state was almost complete.The CM also laid foundation stones for deputy director of agriculture offices and soil testing laboratories in Baghpat, Shamli, Kasganj and Bhadohi, a 50-bed hostel building at the Govt Land Conservation Centre in Mauranipur, Jhansi, and a smart agriculture bureau studio unit in Lucknow. Assuring farmers that the double-engine govt stood firmly with them, Yogi said advanced farming practices held the key to their prosperity. Terming the crop insurance scheme a strong support system, Yogi said the facility ensured returns during times of distress caused by natural disasters. Referring to the 'Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana', he said: "Earlier, only the farmer was covered while family members, sharecroppers and co-farmers were excluded. So far, over Rs 1,000 crore has been provided under the scheme. This included Rs 5 lakh assistance in case of the death of a farmer or a family member due to an accident." He said though no one can compensate for the loss of a human life but the govt can stand as a support system. Yogi instructed all DMs to ensure the money reached beneficiaries' accounts by the next day at any cost.