BHOPAL: Unseasonal rain accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning on Tuesday caused havoc in several parts of the state leaving 21 people dead. Heavy spell of rain also spoiled thousands of tons of wheat stocked open in mandis and fields.
State government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to kin of deceased. It has also instructed officials to take stock of ground situation.
The sudden and heavy spell of rain and hail hit Shajapur, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Rajgarh, Gwalior, Ashoknagar, Guna, Narsinghpur, Shahdol, Bhopal and Hoshangabad district. Maximum deaths were reported from Malwa division, where 11 deaths were reported from Indore district, 5 from Ujjain, 3 from Bhopal and 2 from Jabalpur district, said principal secretary revenue, Manish Rastogi. State government has given instructions to release compensation of Rs 4 lakh to kin of the deceased.
Government officials maintained that most of the crop has been harvested from the field. Wheat lying in open in fields or at mandis got soaked in rainwater. Government officials are conducting survey to assess the damage. About 20,000 quintal of wheat got wet at nine wheat procurement centres in Bina. Water pump was used to flush out water from state warehouse centre. Similar reports were received from other districts of the state where wheat kept in open was spoiled.
Govt announces Rs 4 lakh compensation to kin of deceased; Tons of stocked harvest in fields and mandis destroyed
Rain lash Shajapur, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Rajgarh, Gwalior, Ashoknagar, Guna, Narsinghpur, Shahdol, Bhopal and Hoshangabad district
Malwa division worst affected; 11 deaths were reported from Indore district, 5 from Ujjain, 3 from Bhopal and 2 from Jabalpur district
Farmers’ rain soaked wheat too will be purchased: Commissioner
Issuing other set of instructions to officials engaged in procurement of wheat, Bhopal division Commissioner Shrivastava said that wheat that got wet in rains too will be bought from the farmers. Strict action will be taken against officials who will unnecessarily harass farmers on petty pretexts. Two separate teams have been constituted to assess the damage.
The teams include officers from Food department, cooperative department, revenue, agriculture, MARKFED and nodal officers at mandis. Shrivastava said that besides providing compensation to the kin of deceased, financial help was also approved for those whose house got damaged and those who lost their livestock. Collectors of the concerning districts have been instructed to provide compensation within 24 hours.