Rains made preparation of crop 'panch-nama' difficult: Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse

MUMBAI: Heavy rains and hailstorms in North Maharashtra for the last three days have made immediate preparation of 'panch-namas' (site inspection reports) of the damage to crops difficult, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said today.

Talking to PTI, Khadse said Dhule, Nandurbar, Nashik and Jalgaon districts have been receiving heavy rains accompanied by hailstorms for the last three days.

"The rains first hit Dhule and as the local administration was making 'panch-namas', it started raining in Jalgaon today," he said.

"According to preliminary reports, crops over 8,000 hectares have been affected," he said.

One woman died while there were reports of cattle deaths too, he added.

The Minister said he had instructed the local administration to give compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh to the kin of the deceased woman.

Pomegranate and grape growers have suffered the most losses in Jalgaon district, said Khadse.

While in Konkan, there were heavy rains but no reports of hailstorm, he said.