Unseasonal Rains Batter Crops Across 29 Districts, Affecting 200,000 Hectares

Mumbai: Unseasonal rains and hailstorms, persisting in Maharashtra for the past few days, have battered the state. According to preliminary data provided by the Agriculture Department, a staggering 29 districts across the state have borne the brunt of this natural calamity, resulting in crop damage across approximately 204,835 hectares of land. Among these, the four districts of Nashik, Dhule, Ahilyanagar, and Jalgaon have suffered the most extensive damage.

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Severe Damage to Fruit Orchards and Cash Crops

The rains, which occurred between March 14 and April 2, have caused significant damage to crops such as bananas, wheat, maize, chickpeas, mangoes, sorghum (Jowar), watermelons, various vegetables, pomegranates, onions, oranges, and grapes. With their harvest—which was just within reach—snatched away, the farming community has been left completely devastated.

District-wise Damage Assessment

Nashik (The ‘Grape Capital’ Hit Hard): Grape orchards in the Niphad and Yeola talukas have suffered massive damage. As the grapes—which were ready for harvest—developed cracks due to the rains, traders have refused to purchase them; consequently, farmers have incurred financial losses running into lakhs of rupees.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Over the past 14 days, crops across 11,000 hectares in the district have been adversely affected, impacting approximately 18,000 farmers.

Nandurbar: In 62 villages across the district, sorghum, maize, and onion crops spanning 832 hectares—belonging to 954 farmers—have been damaged.

Nanded (Sagaroli): The Sagaroli area within the Biloli taluka witnessed hailstorms accompanied by gusty winds. Roofs were blown off houses, and agricultural fields also sustained extensive damage. Yavatmal: Crops spanning 190 hectares across 14 villages in six talukas of the district have been damaged, and five houses have suffered structural damage.

Government Stands Firmly with Farmers – Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar personally visited the affected areas in the Panadare region of Baramati taluka to conduct an on-the-spot inspection of the damage. During her visit, she interacted with the farmers. “The hailstorm has brought about a major crisis. I have personally assessed the extent of the damage, and we will make every possible effort to ensure that farmers receive maximum and immediate assistance from the government. In this time of crisis, the government stands firmly behind the farmers,” Sunetra Pawar assured.

Orders Issued for Damage Assessment; Aid Awaited

In accordance with NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) norms, compensation will be provided to farmers who have suffered crop damage exceeding 33 percent. The Revenue and Agriculture departments have been directed to conduct damage assessments on a war footing. Farmers are expressing their hope that government assistance will reach them as quickly as possible.