From Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to parts of Maharashtra, the unseasonal showers over the weekend have dashed the hopes of thousands or farmers. The yield for crops like wheat, potato, mustard, onion is likely to be adversely impacted by the wet spell.
In Uttar Pradesh's Hamirpur district, devastated after his standing Rabi crop was lost to the rain, a farmer, Indrajeet, committed suicide in his own field, leaving behind a distressed family and an unpaid debts.
"It's not just the money he spent on tilling the fields. He took a loan for his daughter-in-law's medical treatment," his sister Rani told NDTV. "We are already under so much debt, where will we find the money to pay for our survival now?"
In Unnao, the unexpected hailstorm covered the fields, leaving a moist blanket. At least two farmers suffered massive heart attacks when they saw the damage to their standing crop.
One-third of the country's wheat comes from Uttar Pradesh from across an estimated area of 99 lakh hectares. It's also the biggest potato producing state, with approximately 7 lakh hectares under potato cultivation.
Experts who monitor agricultural produce say the rains couldn't have come at a worse time - many crops are either waiting to be harvested and the damage is expected to further impact the Rabi crop estimates.
Punjab Toll Plaza Blunder: Man Charged Rs 220 While Relaxing At Home "Will Suspend All Freebies Unless...": Supreme Court's Warning To Maharashtra Asha Parekh To Receive Maharashtra Govt's 'Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award' Mamata Banerjee's Sunday Ultimatum To CBI For Death Penalty In Rape-Murder How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death "I Am Sorry": KTR Apologises For Remarks After Woman's Panel Begins Probe Russian Spies Were Stealing US Tech During Cold War. Then FBI Did This What Parents Of Boys Must Know About Online 'Misogynist Radicalisation' Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.