In response to the ongoing unseasonal rain wreaking havoc on Maharashtra’s agricultural landscape, the state cabinet is convening to deliberate on relief measures for affected farmers.
The meteorological department anticipates continued unseasonal rain and hailstorms across various regions in the state in the coming days. A yellow alert has been issued for Marathwada, Vidarbha, Konkan, and Western Maharashtra for the next 24 hours.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have instructed district authorities to promptly conduct panchnamas to assess the extent of crop damage.
Preliminary reports suggest that unseasonal rains and hailstorms have adversely impacted crops on 1.25 lakh hectares. A comprehensive and final assessment is currently pending.
The untimely precipitation is expected to particularly impact jowar and cotton crops in Vidarbha and Marathwada, mangoes and grapes in Konkan, and onions in north Maharashtra. As the state grapples with this agricultural challenge, the cabinet aims to formulate effective relief measures for the distressed farming community.