PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 31 -- The Prayagraj region continued to reel under intermittent rains for the third consecutive day on Friday, causing widespread distress among farmers due to significant damage to paddy crops. The showers, brought on by Cyclone Motha, resulted in 21 mm of rain within 24 hours-from 8:30 am Thursday to 8:30 am Friday. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), partly cloudy skies are expected on Saturday, indicating that the unsettled weather may continue.

In rural areas of the region, farmers who had been preparing to harvest ripened paddy over the past two weeks found their efforts washed away. The strong winds accompanying the heavy rain worsened the situation, scattering harvested bundles and submerging ...