The Meteorological Department had predicted unseasonal rains in different parts of Gujarat, and as per the prediction, several parts of the state have been affected with winds, thunder, and rainfall. The rains have also affected the crops. When such conditions are prevailing in the state, the harvested crop including paddy, castor, wheat, and cotton at the Viramgam APMC market have been spoiled due to getting soaked in the rain.
In a similar incident, in the Dantiwada market yard, major damage took place as goods lying in the open got soaked. Such incidents have raised a question on the authorities about not taking any action despite the forecasts. If necessary arrangements had been made earlier, the crops would not have been damaged.
According to sources, Viramgam APMC was flooded due to rain showers. Due to unseasonal rains, the harvested crops purchased a day before got soaked and thus, were spoiled. Twenty thousand maunds of paddy and five thousand maunds of other crops got flooded and soaked. Despite the weather department’s forecast, the APMC had neither put the goods in the godown nor made any arrangements to cover them properly in order to prevent them from getting soaked. As a result, huge loss has occurred.
On the other hand, negligence of the authorities has surfaced in Panthavada market yard of Dantiwada. The goods of the farmers left out in the open got wet and were spoiled. In spite of the rain forecasts, the crops were kept in the open. The crop of castor and raisin got soaked and was later rendered useless.
The unseasonal rains have caused losses for a lot of farmers. In Banaskantha, rainfall accompanied with hail has caused severe damage to the muskmelon crop. This damage has caused a loss of 8 to 10 lakhs. Due to this, the farmers have demanded that the government conduct a survey and provide compensation.
A farmer said that they had already faced losses due to cold weather, and now, the unseasonal rains have added to their miseries. The unseasonal rains have caused a loss of around 8 to 10 lakhs. More than 4 lakhs were spent on planting on 7 acres of land (18 bighas), all of which has gone to a waste. In such conditions, the farmers are demanding the government to conduct a survey and provide them with assistance.