Karnataka Weather Shock! Hailstorm Destroys Crops, Farmers Cry for Help
Bengaluru: In a severe follow-up to recent unseasonal rains, large parts of Karnataka have been battered by intense hailstorms and heavy downpours, leaving widespread devastation in their wake. Nearly half of the state has reported significant damage, particularly to agricultural crops, pushing farmers into distress.
Over the past two to three days, relentless rain accompanied by strong winds and hail has disrupted normal life across multiple districts. The situation has been particularly alarming in regions like Raichur, Belagavi, Mysuru, Chikkaballapur, Koppal, Shivamogga and Chamarajanagar, where farmers have reported massive losses just as crops were ready for harvest.
Also Read: Karnataka Looks Like ‘Kashmir’ After Massive Hailstorm Hits Several Districts
In Raichur district’s Devadurga taluk, villages including Parthapur, Hunoor, Arashinagi and Ramanahalli witnessed heavy rainfall that destroyed standing crops such as paddy, chilli, and bajra across more than 200 acres. Farmers who had invested heavily in cultivation are now left with nothing, as crops nearing harvest were completely flattened.
In Belagavi, strong winds and hailstorms caused severe damage to vegetable crops including cauliflower, spinach, and brinjal. Farmers reported losses running into lakhs, with many stating that even market-ready produce has been rendered unsellable due to damage.
Similarly, in Mysuru district, heavy rains destroyed banana plantations in Hanagod, while in Chikkaballapur, horticulture crops including grapes, flowers, pomegranate, and vegetables suffered losses across more than 350 acres.
The situation is equally grim in Koppal, where intense rainfall damaged homes and flooded residential areas, while in Shivamogga, strong winds blew away rooftops and caused waterlogging in several localities, forcing residents to stay awake through the night.
In Chamarajanagar, hailstones piled up on roads and inside homes, creating visuals similar to snowfall, while banana crops spread across acres were destroyed. Farmers, already burdened with loans, are now demanding immediate government compensation.
Adding to the concern, lightning strikes in Yadgir district reportedly killed livestock, further impacting the livelihoods of already distressed farmers.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert across 23 districts, warning of continued heavy rainfall and hailstorm activity over the next two days.
As Karnataka grapples with this sudden weather crisis, farmers across the state are urging the government to conduct immediate joint surveys through revenue, agriculture, and horticulture departments and provide compensation at the earliest.
The unseasonal rains have once again exposed the vulnerability of farmers, with many now staring at heavy financial losses and an uncertain future.
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