Rain and Hailstorms Damages Rabi Crops Planted on 2 lakh hectares in Maharashtra

Unseasonal rains and hailstorms have devastated crops planted on more than two lakh hectares of land in Vidarbha, Marathwada, and sections of the state's North Maharashtra area. After the panchanamas are recorded throughout the districts that experienced unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms, the final report on exact assessment will be sent out. 

Dadasaheb Bhuse, the state agriculture minister, has asked district authorities to complete the panchanamas and submit a full report on crop damage owing to excessive rain and hailstorm within 15 days. "Our primary information is that unseasonal rain and hailstorm have severely impacted areas of Vidarbha and the Marathwada region as well as handful of districts in north Maharashtra," Bhuse added. The exact loss in terms of crop loss and financial loss will be tabulated once the panchanamas are completed.” 

Furthermore, reports of newer districts being hit by unseasonal rainfall would make the task more difficult. Rains and hailstorms have harmed crops planted on more than two lakh hectares, according to information received from district agricultural officers. 

Wardha, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Nagpur, and Amravati are the worst-affected districts in the Vidarbha area. Gadchiroli, a Naxal-infested area, is one of the worst-affected districts. Apart from agriculture, orange farming has also been harmed.

The Vidarbha area contributes for 30% of the country's orange farming. 

Unseasonal rainfall has been reported in all eight districts of the Marathwada area, according to officials. The districts which have seen maximum crop damage are Latur, Parbhani, Beed and Nanded. Unseasonal weather has caused havoc on the districts of Dhule, Nandurbar, and Nashik in North Maharashtra. Rains have caused a setback for grape and banana plantations. 

Former Agriculture Minister Anil Bonde said, “The lack of response from Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government is a cause of concern. The unseasonal rain and hailstorm are being treated casually, but the situation is serious.” 

"The state government in neighboring Madhya Pradesh, which had unseasonal rain and hailstorm during the same period, has already approved crop loss compensation of Rs.30000 per acre. The Maharashtra government, on the other hand, has recently issued orders for panchanamas," he stated. 

While agreeing that the process is time-consuming, guardian minister Nitin Raut stated, "With recurring rains, the panchanamas are ongoing. We issued orders right away." 

According to a Krishi Kendra official in Vidarbha, "it takes longer in rural areas, notably in Gadchiroli district. We also need to maintain the details up to date. As Bhandara received another spell of rainfall after a gap of 48 hours it has to be updated.”