The recent rains have come as both a blessing and a curse for Vidarbha.

While the spell has helped most parts of the region make up for the deficiency in rainfall, it has also damaged standing crops on an estimated 40,000 hectares of land.

The normal progressive rainfall in the region from June 1 till date is expected to be 518.7 millimetres. However, the region has already recorded 598.5 millimetres, which is 15 per cent in excess.

So far, most districts in the region have received excess or near normal rainfall this season. Although, rainfall has been deficient in 3 districts, the shortfall in 2 of them is nominal.

Terrible Tuesday: Mumbai copes with a calamity

The Yavatmal district has received the heaviest rains this season, with an excess of 55 per cent, followed by Nagpur with 36 per cent.

The heavy rains over the past week have destroyed standing crops in over 40,000 hectares in Vidarbha, according to initial estimates. Major rivers in the region like Painganga, Wainganga, Wardha, Arunavati, Bembla, Adan, Pus and Kanhan are in spate and have destroyed crops on the banks.

Chandrapur, Wardha, Amravati and Yavatmal districts have been hit the most on this count. In Yavatmal district alone, flood waters have damaged crops in nearly 3,000 hectares of land. Damage has also been caused in Bhandara and Gondia districts.

The worst affected are cotton and paddy cultivators, who have borne the brunt of nature's fury. The crops of soybean and pulses have also been affected.

Meanwhile, the administration has sounded an alert in Parsodi and Kakda villages in Wardha district of the region. These two villages would be under threat if the reservoir of the Kar project at Karanja in the district overflows. The reservoir is now full to the brim, officials said.

Terrible Tuesday: Mumbai copes with a calamity
Mumbai Help

(Central India News Service)