In an unfortunate turn of events on Friday afternoon, garlic worth lakhs of rupees was devastated at Mandsaur’s Krishi Upaj Mandi when an unexpected heavy downpour struck the district. The sudden rainfall left farmers scrambling to protect their produce, but the relentless downpour soaked much of the garlic, with some even being washed away.
Video:
बारिश के बाद मंदसौर मंडी में लहसुन की बर्बादी का यह वीडियो परेशान करने वाला है…मंडियों में व्यवस्थाएँ कितनी खराब हैं यह भी देखिए… pic.twitter.com/RAaTXChpQg
— 👑 Sikandar नाम तो सुना होगा ✍️ (@smartySikandar) December 29, 2024
The rainfall, which affected various regions including Kayampur, Daloda Pipaliyamandi, Malhargarh, and Suwasra, was not just limited to rain. Hailstorms accompanied the precipitation in rural areas such as Digao Malya, adding to the woes of the farmers. This widespread weather event threw the agricultural market into disarray, with many farmers facing significant financial losses as their unprotected produce was damaged.
Beyond the immediate damage to market produce, the weather system brought about a sharp drop in temperatures across the district. This sudden change intensified the cold conditions, causing discomfort among residents who found themselves unprepared for the unseasonable weather. The areas most affected by this abrupt shift were Kayampur, Daloda Pipaliyamandi, Malhargarh, and Suwasra.
Despite the challenges faced in Mandsaur, the nearby town of Garoth experienced a beneficial aspect of the unseasonal rain. Following days of cloudy weather and morning fog, Garoth received a heavy rainfall lasting half an hour on Friday afternoon, which started around 4 pm after a brief period of sunshine. This downpour extended to the surrounding villages, causing temporary power outages but also bringing potential benefits to the standing crops.
Farmers in Garoth are hopeful that the rainfall will positively impact crops like wheat, gram, mustard, and garlic currently in their fields. The recent foggy conditions had already mitigated the intensity of the cold weather in the region, and the added moisture from the rain is expected to further bolster crop health.
In recent years, several instances have highlighted the devastating impact of heavy rainfall combined with inadequate drainage systems on agriculture across India:
Andhra Pradesh Crop Damage (September 2024): Farmers in Andhra Pradesh’s coastal districts faced severe crop damage due to torrential rains and floods, submerging lakhs of acres. Key crops like chilli, cotton, paddy, and pulses were affected across 47 mandals. Authorities were on high alert, assessing damage and aiding farmers. Persistent rain posed further challenges for agriculture and livestock well-being.
Odisha Paddy Fields (October 2024): Agriculture scientists in Odisha suggested measures to minimize paddy crop damage due to cyclone Dana’s heavy rain. Eight coastal districts were likely to be affected. Farmers were advised to keep drainage channels open, properly stack and cover harvested rice, dry grains after rain, and use fumigation for storage pests.
Karaikal Cotton Crops (May 2024): Cotton raised over a thousand hectares in Karaikal were at risk of damage due to heavy rain spells that lashed the region over a week.
Punjab Floods (July 2023): Irregular rainfall due to climate change caused floods in Punjab, leading to the destruction of 2.21 lakh hectares of crop area, accounting for 7% of the paddy crop. Other crops, including vegetables and maize, were also affected.
Maharashtra Floods (July 2021): A series of floods across Maharashtra resulted in around 251 deaths and over 100 missing persons. Thirteen districts were affected, with significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
