Latur, February 23 The Latur district in Maharashtra was hit by unseasonal rain and hailstorms, following which orders were issued for a damage assessment survey, officials said on Monday.
Parts of the Renapur tehsil experienced strong winds and hail during the day, damaging houses with tin roofs in some villages, they said.
Crops including wheat, gram, and sorghum have suffered partial losses. In a separate incident, a 60-year-old farmer, Digambar Ram Belkunde, died after being struck by lightning while working in his field in Vaigaon in the Udgir tehsil.
Guardian minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale gave orders for the survey after reviewing the situation with Collector Varsha Thakur-Ghuge and Resident Deputy Collector Keshav Netke, an official said.
"Unseasonal rain, hailstorms, and strong winds have affected Renapur, Ahmedpur, and several other tehsils, damaging standing crops and causing partial damage to houses in some areas. The minister instructed the administration to conduct spot inspections, prepare panchnamas (loss assessment reports), and ensure immediate assistance to families whose homes have been damaged," the official said.
"Information on losses from other tehsils is still being compiled, and field-level teams have already begun preparing assessment reports," Thakur-Ghuge said.