Over 1 lakh Hectares Crops Damaged in Maharashtra Due to Rain & Thunderstorm, Will Impact Prices

Crops Damaged in Maharashtra: Unseasonal rains and hailstorms wreaked havoc in Maharashtra, causing extensive damage to agricultural lands across various districts. The affected regions include western and northern parts of Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Vidarbha. The unexpected rainfall hit villages such as Avsari Budruk, Mengadewadi, Jarkarwadi, Pondewadi, Khadakwadi, Dhamani, Loni, Walunjnagar, Ranmala, Lakhangaon, and Kathapur Budruk, leading to flattened crops and damaged houses.

Crops Damaged in Maharashtra Due to Unseasonal Rain And Thunderstorm

In Marathwada, 107 revenue circles in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, and Beed bore the brunt of unseasonal showers. Nashik, Ahmednagar, and Pune districts also faced significant damage from the rain coupled with hailstorm. Preliminary estimates indicate that around 50,000 hectares of agricultural land have been affected, with Nashik, Buldhana, and Ahmednagar districts being the worst hit. Crops such as onions and grapes suffered the most.

Grape farmers in Nashik’s Niphad tehsil faced substantial losses as the unseasonal rainfall damaged grapes ready for harvest. The district collector was directed to expedite the assessment (panchnama) of the damage for swift compensation. Nashik’s guardian minister, Dada Bhuse, expressed concern over the crisis and pledged to seek emergency monetary assistance from the chief minister’s fund.

In Pune district, villages like Avsari Budruk, Mengadewadi, Jarkarwadi, Pondewadi, Khadakwadi, Dhamani, Loni, Walunjnagar, Ranmala, Lakhangaon, and Kathapur Budruk were severely affected. Dilip Walse-Patil, the co-operatives and district guardian minister, visited the rain-ravaged areas, assuring affected farmers of government support. He emphasized the need for prompt completion of damage assessments (panchanamas) to facilitate quick compensation delivery.

Various crops, including sugarcane, potato, onion, maize, sorghum, pomegranate, and wheat, suffered due to the unseasonal rains. Onion prices surged as stored crops were adversely impacted, leading to a 42% increase in the average wholesale price at Lasalgaon APMC—from ₹3,300 per quintal on Saturday to ₹4,700 per quintal on Monday.

Impact on Food Pricing

The minister highlighted the areas most affected, including Kurwandi, Jarkarwadi, Dhamani, Loni, Vadgaonpir, Valanjnagar, Ranmala, Khadakwadi, Pondewadi in Ambegaon taluka; Vadner, Savindane, Kavthe Yemai, Malthan, Malwadi, Mahse, Nimgaon Dude, and Hani Takwadi in Shirur taluka; and Sablewadi, Shingarwadi, Uchalevasti, Dongargan Tamkharwadi villages. Surveyors identified these locations for additional compensation proposals in the cabinet.

The adverse weather not only caused extensive damage to crops but also disrupted the supply chain, leading to a sudden increase in onion prices in the affected areas.

In summary, the unseasonal rains and hailstorms have left a trail of destruction in Maharashtra, impacting farmers and communities heavily dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.