As the Earth Hour for 2015 approaches this March 28, another unseasonal, unexpected climatic phenomenon hits us…this time India…read on!
It is no mystery that Agriculture as a profession and means of livelihood is most vulnerable to the vagaries of nature. Rain, sunshine, winds, high and low temperature, and even snow…all are required for the proper growth of different crops. But the important factor is the timeliness and predictability of climatic patterns. Requirement of each of the above varies with the stages of crop growth.
So if rains and storm are hitting the crop around the the time of harvest, it is no surprise that there will be destruction. And there are socio-economic repercussions…!
“A dozen people died and around 90 were injured on Sunday in unseasonal rain and hailstorms in Rajasthan as severe weather triggered by a western disturbance across vast swathes of north and west India caused extensive damage to winter crops ripe for harvest.Officials said heavy rain and hailstones the size of golf balls damaged standing Rabi crops of cumin, mustard, wheat, barley, gram and potato as well as vegetable farms in the countryside which feed all major urban centres in the western and northern states, especially Delhi.” (HT, March 16, 2015)
Other related reports:
“Heavy unseasonal rain destroys farmers’ spirits” (ToI, March 16, 2015)
” Unseasonal rain damages 80% oilseed, pulse crops in UP” (ToI, March 05, 2015)
“Unseasonal rain causes crop loss worth Rs 1,000 crore in Maharashtra” (ToI, March 03, 2015)
“Unseasonal Rain Lashes North India” (NDTV, March 02,2015)
HT, March 16, 2015 http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/freak-rain-and-hail-kill-dozen-people-flatten-ripe-crops-in-north-and-west-india/article1-1326674.aspx
ToI, March 16, 2015 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Heavy-unseasonal-rain-destroys-farmers-spirits/articleshow/46578267.cms
ToI, March 05, 2015 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/Unseasonal-rain-damages-80-oilseed-pulse-crops/articleshow/46470786.cms
ToI, March 03, 2015 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Unseasonal-rain-causes-crop-loss-worth-Rs-1000-crore-in-Maharashtra/articleshow/46436122.cms
NDTV, March 02,2015 http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/unseasonal-rain-lashes-north-india/358444