The rabi crop across northern India has taken a substantial beating because of the unseasonal rains that lashed the region last week. While exact damages are yet to be computed, experts said wheat, mustard and gram in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were the worst-hit.

In Madhya Pradesh, according to preliminary estimates, crops in 5,026 villages across 2.63 lakh hectares and most of the 45 districts were damaged in the freak wet weather. Harvested and stored crops were also affected. Wheat, gram and mustard, among other crops, bore the brunt.

‘‘It’ll be at least a week before we know the full extent of damage,’’ said deputy commissioner (relief) Ashok Gupta in Bhopal. ‘‘The agriculture and revenue departments are conducting a joint survey to assess the losses.’’

In Jaipur, the initial estimates are already in, and the numbers are worrying: the Rabi crop has been badly hit in 22,000 hectares in nearly 400 villages. The worst-affected area, ironically, is the desert stretch of Barmer, where crops in about 80 villages have been destroyed completely.

‘‘Pre-harvest crops in 10,500 hectares in Barmer, 6,376 hectares in Kota, 4,950 hectares in Baran and 400 hectares in Bharatpur have been hit by the wet spell,’’ officials said.

‘‘Initial figures available with us indicate about 35 tehsils have suffered heavy damage to crops due to hailstorm and rains,’’ said agriculture minister Prabhu Lal Saini.

Officials said about 30 per cent of the mustard and wheat crops in eastern Rajasthan was destroyed, making it the worst-hit area in the state. In the western part of the state, jowar and gram crops have been badly hit. Isabgol and cumin cultivated around Jaipur have also taken a beating.

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