Farmers Feel the Heat as Rain Damages Crops

Agra/Aligarh/Mathura March 2 (IANS) Several spells of light rain on Sunday a and heavy downpour on Monday morning has spelt doom for farmers in parts of Uttar Pradesh.

The wheat, mustard and potato crops have been extensively damaged as fields are overflowing with rain water in many parts of the region. In Mainpuri district, potato digging has been affected and water has harmed the yield.

In the Etah-Kasganj belt, the tobacco crop has been damaged. In Mathura district, farmers complained that the wheat plants had been flattened by gusty winds. Cultivators in Fatehpur Sikri area said the potato could be discoloured and if the water was not drained out the crop could rot.

Vegetables like tomatos, peas and coriander have also been damaged in areas on the periphery of Agra.

In Agra and Mathura, life has come to a virtual standstill from early Monday morning as rain water has flooded low-lying areas and disrupted traffic movement. The worst affected are the students preparing for their final examinations.

The met department has forecast more rain later in the day. From Tuesday evening the weather is expected to clear.