Lucknow, Nov. 2 -- :Even before insurance companies could assess crop losses and settle claims of farmers affected by September's unseasonal rains and strong winds, a fresh spell of adverse weather, this time spread across almost the entire state, is believed to have hit a much larger number of farmers in Uttar Pradesh.

The latest spell of rain and strong winds has coincided with the paddy harvesting season and the commencement of rabi sowing, raising fears of widespread crop damage. "The number of farmers approaching the agriculture department with complaints of crop losses is expected to be significantly higher this time, given the wider geographical spread of the weather disturbance," a senior agriculture department official said.

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