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Rains, storm cool Uttar Pradesh

But damage mango crop; fruits have fallen off prematurely

LUCKNOW: Intermittent rains and duststorms that hit parts of Uttar Pradesh in the past 48 hours had a cooling effect but proved damaging for the season's mango crop produce.

A large number of fruits have fallen off the trees prematurely, forcing growers to sell their semi-ripe produce at a lesser price. Quoting initial estimates, sources in the state horticulture department said duststorms that had hit the state last week and rains which had lashed parts of UP in the past 48 hours have brought down 10-15 per cent of the semi-ripe fruits.

Mango growers, already hit by a poor yield, have been forced to sell semi-ripe fruits for Rs 10-12 per kg, benefiting the consumers. ``The profits have dipped, but it cannot be termed as a loss,'' they opined.

Had the rains lashed the state 15 days ago, the loss could have been immense. But at this stage, the farmers had at least been able to sell semi-ripe mangoes, though at a lesser price.

According to officials, had the farmers got ten more days, the price per kg could have ranged between Rs 15 and Rs 20. As it is, due to the variation in temperatures in the recent months, the mango yield had dipped 25 to 30 per cent.

The `fallen' yield would have to be consumed early locally, as it is not worth exporting. The semi-ripe mango was good for preparing pickles and `murabba'.

But at the same time officials claimed that there was no major damage to trees in mango orchards in and around Lucknow, famous for producing the juicy Dussehri variety of the fruit. Tree guards around the gardens saved much damaging from happening.

Meanwhile, the rainfall continued in most parts of Uttar Pradesh during the past 24 hours as the cloud depression cover was maintained over the state.

Varanasi recorded a maximum rainfall was 15 mm, Allahabad was not much behind with a rainfall of 13.9 mm, the state met office here said. Besides, Gorakhpur recorded 1.2 mm rainfall, Sultanpur-2.2 mm, Kanpur-0.2 mm, Lucknow-0.7 mm, Bareilly-8.4 mm and Jhansi-2.6 mm.

Gorakhpur recorded a maximum temperature of 36 degree Celsius (three degree below normal), Varanasi-35 (-5), Bahraich-35 (-4), Sultanpur-36 (-4), Allahabad-38 (-3), Kanpur-37, Lucknow-34 (-6), Bareilly-35 (-5) and Jhansi-38 (-3).

Duststorm/ thunderstorm with rains and accompanied with squall was likely at a few places. The maximum temperature in and around Lucknow was likely to remain about 35 degrees Celsius. -- UNI

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