Surveys under way to gauge rain damage to crops
Margao:
The agriculture department has launched special surveys to assess the extent of the rain damage caused to paddy fields and plantations across various parts of South Goa. Farmers are facing estimated losses running into lakhs of rupees.
Official sources from the agriculture department report that the hardest-hit areas include Sanguem, Quepem, and Canacona talukas, where approximately 10ha of farmland was completely submerged.
Sources said a comprehensive survey was currently under way to determine the full scope of agricultural damage.
In Sanguem, Quepem, and Dharbandora areas, unrelenting rain over the past four days resulted in waterlogging of a large number of paddy fields.
Despite the crops being ready for harvest, accumulated water made it impossible for farmers to access their fields.
Agriculture department officials warn that if the rain continues, the standing crop could suffer complete damage, leading to substantial losses for cultivators.
Salcete taluka experienced relatively minimal impact, with less than 20ha of paddy fields affected, according to sources from the zonal agriculture office.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Harness the power of AMD processors for Google Cloud workloads - Google Cloud: Future of Infrastructure
CIO | Google Cloud, AMD
Undo
Most farmers in this region had completed their harvest before the onset of heavy rain.
However, fields where sowing was delayed due to water scarcity and other factors suffered damage, particularly in Chandor, where 10-15ha remain submerged.
Velim, traditionally known for extensive rice cultivation, also saw its fields inundated, though the overall damage remains limited since most areas prepared adequately for the kharif season beginning in June.
The weather department's forecast of continued heavy rainfall over the next three days has added to farmers' concerns. But agricultural experts note that the softened soil conditions may benefit upcoming ploughing activities for the next cropping season.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Canadian wildfire triggers air quality alerts in US but this state issues dire warning for residents. Check details
Thousands of residents in three provinces have been evacuated as dozens of wildfires remained active Sunday and diminished air quality in parts of Canada and the US. With more than a hundred wildfires burning in Canada, the smoke is bringing potentially dangerous air quality conditions to parts of the northern United States. Air quality alert in US Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada has spread into the United States, impacting air quality as far south as Florida. Forecasters report that conditions in parts of Minnesota reached "very unhealthy" levels on June 3. The smoke is expected to continue drifting across the country, with much of the East Coast likely to experience moderate air quality by the end of the day, according to reports USA Today. ALSO READ: Jeff Bezos' precautionary measure revealed ahead of his ultra-rich luxurious wedding with Lauren Sanchez by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Minnesota remains under a statewide air quality alert through midweek, with some areas experiencing air conditions ranging from unhealthy to very unhealthy due to smoke particulates. A visible gray haze was also reported in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 2, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network. Canadian wildfire smoke causing poor air quality Smoke from Canadian wildfires will thicken over the Pittsburgh area today, leading to poor air quality across the region. According to CBS News, Friday has a very low chance of being designated a First Alert Weather Day. Next Monday has a slightly higher—but still low—chance of meeting that threshold. Live Events Air quality will be at its worst in the Mon Valley today, primarily due to local industrial pollution rather than wildfire smoke. Expect increased activity on the 'Pittsburgh Smell' app. In addition to the wildfire smoke, ozone levels will spike this afternoon due to abundant sunshine. Ozone (O₃) forms when sunlight triggers a chemical reaction in the atmosphere, typically on clear, sunny days. ALSO READ: Jonathan Joss shot dead: Actor used to do weird things in the middle of the night, neighbours give shocking details There are over 200 wildfires burning in Canada as of June 3, with over 100 classified as "out of control," according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The fires have forced thousands to evacuate. On June 2, the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, announced that 150 federal firefighting personnel from the United States are headed across the border to help fight fires in the provinces of Alberta and Manitoba. On Tuesday, smoke is expected to move into eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, possibly affecting areas like Minneapolis and Omaha, Nebraska. However, an approaching cold front with thunderstorms and strong winds may disperse the smoke, making its path harder to predict. Last week, the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba declared states of emergency due to the ongoing wildfires, with approximately 17,000 residents already evacuated, according to The Associated Press. Dry conditions and a lack of significant rainfall are continuing to fuel the fires, complicating firefighting efforts, Saskatchewan Public Safety reported on Sunday. In response, additional aircraft and firefighting personnel from other Canadian provinces and U.S. states — including Arizona, Oregon, and Alaska — are being deployed to assist, said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. ALSO READ: Donald Trump's new official portrait released by White House, netizens say 'this can't be real' Minnesota issues first ever 'Maroon' air quality alert On June 2, 2025, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued its first-ever "Maroon Alert" for air quality, indicating hazardous conditions due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. This alert, effective through June 4, covers northwest Minnesota, including areas like Red Lake, Roseau, and East Grand Forks. The Maroon level signifies that the air is hazardous for everyone, with potential health effects such as irritated eyes, coughing, and serious heart or lung issues. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities and keep indoor air as clean as possible, according to Fox News. Additionally, a "Purple Alert," denoting very unhealthy air quality, was issued for regions including International Falls, Bemidji, and Brainerd. The rest of the state faces red and orange alerts, indicating unhealthy conditions for all and for sensitive groups, respectively. These unprecedented alerts result from extensive wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada, affecting air quality across Minnesota.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Saudi Arabia prepares for 'worst case scenario' as extreme heat looms over Hajj 2025
Near a sprawling tent city outside Mecca, Saudi hospital staff are preparing for a flood of heat-related cases as Muslim pilgrims begin hajj this week in sweltering summer temperatures. The Mina Emergency Hospital is one of 15 such facilities operating just a few weeks a year around the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites, which in 2024 saw more than 1,300 people die in the desert heat. Saudi authorities hope to head off a fatal repeat of last year's pilgrimage, when temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Todos em Portugal estão a instalar este alarme anti-intrusão Securitas Direct Alarmes Solicite orçamento Undo Temperatures this year are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, officially commences on Wednesday. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) So far, authorities have recorded 44 cases of heat exhaustion. Live Events You Might Also Like: Saudi Arabia arrests Indian National among others for unauthorised Hajj transportation Abdullah Asiri, Saudi Arabia 's deputy minister for population health, told AFP at the Mina hospital that "the focus is on heat-related conditions because the hajj coincides with extreme heat". Brimming with staff but no patients just yet, the hospital is part of the kingdom's efforts to prepare for "the worst case scenario" after pilgrims descend on Mina, Asiri said. Defying the scorching heat, pilgrims have already started to flock to Mecca. As of Sunday, more than 1.4 million pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the multi-day pilgrimage, according to officials. You Might Also Like: Saudi Arabia: Umrah season calendar 2025-26 announced; important dates pilgrims must know Mecca's Grand Mosque is serviced by the largest cooling system in the world, according to Saudi state television, with enormous fans and cooled pavements dotting the massive complex. But outside, hiding from the heat can prove challenging. Increased capacity Some pilgrims wear caps or carry umbrellas, but others walk on foot without any protection from the sun, like Palestinian Rabah Mansour, 70, who said that after a lifetime of working outside as a farmer, "heat doesn't bother me". "I have been working in the fields since I was a child," he said, as sweat trickled down his face. While many pilgrims may be overcome with religious fervour, Asiri warned devotees against unnecessarily exposing themselves to harsh conditions. Badr Shreiteh, another Palestinian pilgrim, told AFP that he believed such hardships on the hajj trail would increase the blessings he reaps. "As you can see, we're dripping with sweat," he said, adding: "The more hardship we endure, the more reward we gain." According to Asiri, of the health ministry , a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff have been mobilised for the hajj, far exceeding previous years' numbers. More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses. "Capacity this year has been expanded by more than 60 percent compared to last year," Asiri said, expecting greater numbers of patients. "That's why we are doing all of these measures," he said. Last year, medical staff treated 2,764 pilgrims for heat exhaustion and other heat-related conditions, according to the health ministry. Challenge To prevent people from needing hospitalisation in the first place, 71 emergency medical points have been set up around Mecca's holy sites with a focus on "treating patients on the ground before their case deteriorates", said Asiri. On the second day of hajj, pilgrims will head to Mount Arafat, climbing it and reciting prayers for the whole day. Asiri said pilgrims can stay in the shade. "Most of the heat-related illnesses that happen in Arafat is because people think that they must be under the sun," he said. "You don't have to be outside your tent during Arafat. You don't have to climb the mountain," he added, citing no religious obligation to do so, "and it's very risky from a health point of view". Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP earlier that thousands of misting fans and more than 400 water cooling units have been deployed. Authorities built cooled walkways, including a newly completed four-kilometre (2.5-mile) pathway leading to Arafat. Last year's hajj deaths were a high-profile example of the havoc wrought by heat in 2024, which the Copernicus Climate Change Service said was the hottest ever recorded. Abdul Majid Ati, from the Philippines, said there "extreme heat, but there are also times that we are inside the (Grand mosque) -- it's extreme cold because of the tiles and of the aircon". "We take this as a challenge and a test of our moral character."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Mount Etna eruption: Watch viral videos capturing moment of panic as tourists try to escape falling ash from volcano
Italy's Mount Etna erupted violently on Monday, sending ash, gas, and rocks high into the sky while lava flowed down its slopes. Tourists near the summit were seen running for safety as loud explosions echoed up to 50 km away, according to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Observatory. The eruption, which began overnight, is said to be the most powerful since 2014. Tourists escape unhurt as panic spreads Viral videos on Twitter showed tourists running downhill in panic as the volcano spewed ash and rock fragments into the air. In several clips, thick clouds of dark ash were seen rapidly spreading across the sky while frightened visitors tried to flee. Some were heard shouting as the sound of explosions rumbled in the background. A local tour company confirmed that about 40 visitors were near the southeast crater at the time of the eruption. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo — RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) 'Mt Etna erupting during our tour – all safe but it was scary!' wrote one tourist on X (formerly Twitter), posting footage of the eruption in real time. No injuries or casualties have been reported. Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT Eruption caused partial crater collapse The eruption has been classified as a pyroclastic event. Reports said a part of the northern flank of the southeast crater collapsed, releasing fast-moving gases, volcanic ash, and rock fragments down the slopes. Authorities said the lava remained within natural containment areas, and no evacuations were needed. — EdgeE50124 (@EdgeE50124) Authorities respond, airports affected Sicily's regional president, Renato Schifani, said emergency plans were in place. 'There is no immediate threat to residents, and emergency protocols remain in place,' he said. — BritFirst (@BritFirst) The Sicilian Civil Protection Agency issued a Volcanic Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA), asking aircraft to avoid the affected zone. Airports in Catania and Palermo continued operations, though some flights were delayed or diverted for safety. Volcano remains under observation Mount Etna, located on Sicily's eastern coast, is one of the world's most studied volcanoes and Europe's most active stratovolcano. It draws over 1.5 million tourists every year. Experts said the volcano had shown increased seismic activity and gas emissions in recent weeks. Volcanologists continue to monitor it for further signs of activity. Authorities have advised tourists not to hike near the summit until further notice.
