In Telangana, unseasonal rain along with strong winds have caused widespread damage to crops in the state. Hailstorms hit north Telangana districts during the last two days, damaging standing crops like paddy, maize and mango. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 40 to 50 kmph caused substantial losses to farmers as the standing crops were submerged in some districts. Hailstorms in some districts added to farmers’ woes. Mango farmers have suffered heavy losses from gusty winds that have uprooted trees in some places and damaged the crop which was almost ready for harvest. Paddy kept at market yards for sale in some places also soaked due to the unseasonal rain. The gusty winds also damaged electric poles and transformers, disrupting the electricity supply in some places. The crop damage was reported especially from districts like Sagnareddy and Kamareddy among others. Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari reviewed the situation after a hailstorm hit north Telangana. She directed the district administrations to be on alert and accessible to people in view of the forecast of more rain. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places over the next two days.