IMD Issues Heavy Rain Alerts For Several Parts In Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for light to moderate rainfall in several places in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, over the next three to four hours. The IMD also issued an orange alert for increased rainfall activity in Shimla and parts of Himachal Pradesh after May 1 and 2. The capital city and adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh have seen a temperature drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius due to the rainfall over the past 24 hours.

However, the recent unseasonal rains have caused considerable damage to crops in Maharashtra, and farmers in Buldhana staged a unique protest at Sangrampur tehsil office premises accusing the state government of inaction. They demanded the opening of a government gram procurement center and onion subsidy for summer onions. The unseasonal rains across the state caused huge losses to the farmers.

In Himachal Pradesh, a severe hailstorm accompanied by heavy rains lashed the capital city, reducing visibility and disrupting normal traffic. The local meteorological station has issued an orange warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorm, lightning, and hailstorms over plains, low and mid hills on May 1 and 2, which might cause damage to standing crops, fruit plants, and new plantings. The continued wet spell and low temperatures are causing anxiety to farmers and horticulturists as stormy conditions, hailstorms, and rains are harmful to crops.

The MeT office has predicted light to moderate rainfall at many places in the state on May 2 and 3 as a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of May 1. The maximum temperature in the state stayed two to seven degrees below normal, with Una being the hottest at 34.6 degrees Celsius.

The IMD's warning of increased rainfall activity in Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh has raised concerns among farmers and horticulturists. While rainfall is necessary for agriculture, it is essential to manage its timing and intensity to avoid damage to crops. The state governments need to take adequate measures to mitigate the losses of the farmers and provide them with adequate support to ensure their livelihood.

Source- The Print

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