This Article is From Feb 25, 2014

Hailstorm raises tempers in Bhandara

Hailstorm raises tempers in Bhandara
Bhandara, Maharashtra: Anger spilled out onto the streets in some villages in the Bhandara district of Vidarbha, Maharashtra after Sunday evening's freak hailstorm that left many injured, damaged homes and affected standing crops.

In the Kharashi-Khunari stretch, villagers blocked the road holding up traffic in an impromptu 'chakka-jam'. They wanted the local administration to survey their fields to assess the damage and give them immediate help to restore damaged homes, especially where the hails rained down through the roof.

Not too far away, an agitated group of women was banging on the door of the local parwari office (which was bolted from inside). "We want an answer and we want it now", some shouted at the top of their voice. "Why can't they do a survey (of the damage) fast?"

Additional security had to be called in to control the raging tempers.

A farmer who says his cultivation is under a foot of hail said, "The patwari was giving us a measly Rs. 200-300 for the damage. Does he think he is doing us a favour? We are not beggars asking for alms."

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Another one said, "In last year's heavy downpour in the kharif season, we lost 50 percent of our crop. Nothing in the field would have survived this hailstorm."

Sunita Khunde from Lohara village broke down. "I have six members in my family.  We spent the night outside, without food or water. All the stored grain is wet and we have no roof over our head."

Savita tai said, "All the stored grains are wet now. There is no place to sleep at home...the roof is severely damaged...the hail stones were huge ...must have weighed a kilo each. We hid behind doors. We were scared for our lives and those of our children."

Most villagers share the anxiety.

Though the hailstorm was a natural disaster, both the government and the opposition are fully aware of how local issues can shape public opinion, which is why they have promised quick relief, obviously wary of facing an angry voter this election season.
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