An unseasonal downpour accompanied by hailstorms and strong winds in Central Maharashtra has caused heavy damage to crops in the Nashik district. Sinnar in the Nashik district has been the worst affected by the heavy rain. According to media reports villages in Chandwad, Sinnar, Vani and Niphad, Vani tehsils in the district observed untimely rains. Some places also witnessed hailstorms along with rainfall.
For the fourth time in a fortnight, bad weather has hit crops causing severe damage. The rainfall began on Thursday and continued till Saturday. Many crops were washed out due to the untimely downpour and hailstorms. Crops including gram, onion, grapes, and pomegranate were damaged. This may deepen the agriculture crisis even further in the state.
Sinnar, Kalwan and Niphad in the Nashik district observed heavy rain. The tehsil villages in the district that were severely affected by the untimely rain include Kalwan, Dindori, Trimbak, Sinnar, Chandwad and Niphad. Rabi crops have been hit the worst whereas wheat, onion, grapes and pomegranate have also been severely damaged. Also a lightning caused the death of one cow and five bullocks in the area.
Eknath Khadse, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister has stated that the state may have to bear the entire burden of compensation for the damage caused by unseasonal rains and hailstorms. The reason being that the damage was not eligible for relief under the norms of the Central government.
