More than 38,000 hectares of crop fields were stricken by the natural disasters witnessed so far this year. The most serious damage was caused in Ungheni district, where losses of almost 182 million lei were reported. The data were presented by Iurie Ușurelu, secretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, at the meeting of the Parliament’s commission on agriculture and food industry, IPN reports.

Iurie Ușurelu said the natural disasters included high winds and heavy rain with hail.

Gennady Onceanu, director of the Special Service for Active Influences on Hydrometeorological Processes, said 30-33 days with active influences of the weather conditions are annually recorded in April-September. About 5,000 anti-hail rockets on average are launched in the period. However, this year there were 40 days of active influences in May and June alone and more than 7,000 anti-hail rockets have been launched so far.

Answering the questions of commission members, Gennady Onceanu said each anti-hail rocket launch is coordinated with the Civil Aviation Administration and the launch is often banned when flights can be affected.

The commission asked for a detailed report on the launch of anti-hail rockets on July 2, when the hail caused enormous damage in northern Moldova. MP Alexandru Slusari said they received information from business entities operating in the area and these complained that no anti-hail rockets were launched that day.

Almost 60% of Moldova’s territory is protected from hail. The 2019 budget of the anti-hail service is 102 million lei. Of this sum, 40 million lei will go to purchase anti-hail rockets.