Natural Disasters Severely Damage Kharif Crops in Maharashtra
25-Sep-2025 05:09 PM
Mumbai. Continuous torrential rains from the southwest monsoon have caused significant damage to Kharif crops in Maharashtra this year Initial estimates indicate that 25-30 percent of the state's crops have been completely or partially damaged, while another 10-15 percent have also suffered minor damage.
The state agriculture department is assessing crop damage, but the onset of a fresh spell of rain in several districts is hampering the survey.
According to official data, approximately 7 million acres of Kharif crops in 30 districts in Maharashtra have been affected by the natural disasters, and the extent of the damage is expected to increase further as the rains continue. This could pose a serious crisis for farmers, increasing their debt burden significantly.
In Maharashtra, soybean, cotton, and pulse crops are particularly likely to suffer significant damage due to the heavy rains and waterlogging in the fields.
Soybean plants have begun to rot and decay in areas that have been flooded for a long time. Similarly, cotton bolls prepared for harvesting have been damaged by untimely rains.
Rivers are in spate in various areas of the Marathwada division, and floods have submerged crops in many areas. The crop situation in these areas is extremely vulnerable.
Farmers report that floodwaters have entered fields and houses, destroying bullock carts, plows, seeds, grains, and micro-irrigation equipment. In some villages, cattle have also died or been swept away.
The farmers' plight is not limited to the loss of agricultural crops, but has also expanded to include the loss of livelihood resources.
According to reports, torrential rains and severe floods between August 1 and September 22, 2025, caused significant damage to Kharif crops in 195 tehsils and 654 revenue circles across 30 districts in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra has received 975.5 mm of rainfall, or 102 percent of the normal average, this year. Some areas, particularly Beed and Dharashiv, are experiencing severe flooding. Rain is still falling in some other districts, including Solapur.