-PTI Chennai: Torrential rains for about ten hours overnight halted normal life in Tamil Nadu’s capital and neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur. Schools and colleges—already closed since 31 October due to rains—have been shut today as well in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. The India Meteorological Department forecast heavy to very heavy showers in north coastal Tamil Nadu till Saturday. It said Thursday's low-pressure area over Sri Lanka and adjoining south West Bay...

-PTI New Delhi: The harvest-ready kharif crops of this year are in good condition and have not been affected by recent Heavy Rains in some parts of the country, Agriculture Secretary Shobhana K Pattanayak said today. The minor losses due to rains in the isolated pockets was factored in during the first projection made last month with respect to total kharif (summer) foodgrains output for the 2017-18 crop year (July-June), he said. According...

-Deccan Chronicle Jowar sown on 15,625 acres in Mahbubnagar district, and on 1,695 acres in Nagarkurnool has dried up. Hyderabad: The poor monsoon this year, resulting in a prolonged dry spell, has destroyed crops, especially in five districts of the state. The cotton crop sown on 24,875 acres in Ranga Reddy district has been lost, though elsewhere it has done well. Jowar sown on 15,625 acres in Mahbubnagar district, and on 1,695 acres...

-PTI New Delhi: Tomato prices, which have skyrocketed up to Rs. 100/kg, are more likely to decline over the next fortnight as supplies from southern and other growing states are expected to improve, said a senior ICAR official. Retail tomato prices have gone through the roof for more than a month now in most parts of the country and are still ruling high up to 100 per kg, as per the Consumer...

-PTI New Delhi: Tomato prices have risen to around Rs. 100 per kg in the national capital market as supplies from major producing states have been disrupted because of Heavy Rains. Mother Dairy is selling tomatoes at Rs. 96 per kg here through its 300 retail stores ‘Safal’, while online grocery platforms like Big Basket and Grofers are offering this key vegetable at nearly Rs. 100 per kg. Local vendors are selling tomatoes...