Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, February 25 Unseasonal rains have caused damage to crops in 230 villages in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, while lightning strikes have claimed two lives, officials said on Wednesday.
More than 27,000 farmers have suffered losses as crops were affected on approximately 19,000 hectares of land during the unseasonal showers and hailstorms on Monday in the districts of Beed, Latur, and Nanded in Marathwada, according to the preliminary loss report compiled by the divisional commissioner's office.
At least 136 villages in Latur, 53 in Beed, and 41 in Nanded were most affected by the unseasonal rainfall, it said.
Digamber Belkunde (60), from Udgir in Latur, and Vishakha Yelkewad, from Himayatnagar in Nanded, died due to lightning strikes. Four animals also perished in the Nanded and Beed districts, the report said.
A total of 27,096 farmers with crops on approximately 18,993 hectares of land have suffered losses.
The highest loss was recorded in Latur, where crops on more than 15,516 hectares were affected due to the rains, the report said.
Fourteen "kutcha" houses also experienced partial damage, it added.