Churu, March 1 -- The Churu district in Rajasthan, which is part of the Great Indian Thar Desert, witnessed heavy rainfall and hailstorms. The landscape turned white in Bhanipura, Bisarasar, Rajasar, and Sardarshahar, with hailstones the size of jujubes (fruit).

Several farmers in Churu say that they have been affected by heavy downpours and hailstorms, which have caused crop losses. The affected villages include Rajasar Panwaran village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Bhanipura police station.

Vishnu Parikh, a farmer from Rajasar Panwaran village, said that the sudden hailstorm destroyed the crops, which were on the verge of ripening. "This season, the farmers sow mustard, wheat, barley, isabgol, fenugreek and gram (chana). The ...