Severe Hailstorms Add to Maharashtra Farmers’ Woes

01-Oct-2025 01:57 PM

Pune. In Maharashtra, an important agricultural state in western India, whenever the sky plays tricks, farmers are caught in the crisis of floods or droughts, burdened with debts and heavy loans.

Many farmers, unable to bear the burden, even commit suicide. During the current year's southwest monsoon season, heavy rains lashed 30 of Maharashtra's 36 districts, causing severe flooding in many areas, submerging Kharif crops in the fields.

The excess rainfall and devastating floods have not only damaged Kharif crops but also caused significant losses to livestock, homes, and hopes.

This year, heavy rains lashed several districts in Maharashtra, destroying Kharif crops across millions of hectares. Many farmers were unable to bear the shock.

In a village in Solapur, a farmer committed suicide after witnessing the destruction of his crop. He had cultivated guava, lemon, and sugarcane with a loan from banks, which was destroyed in the floods.

Last year, Maharashtra's farmers faced a drought, while this year they are facing the ravages of severe floods. Heavy rains lashed various parts of Maharashtra last week, and the rains are continuing.

This has caused significant damage to ripe Kharif crops, while late-sown crops have also been submerged. According to the state government's initial estimates, nearly half of Maharashtra's Kharif crops have been damaged or destroyed this year.

September-October is the season for harvesting and festivals, but this time, instead of joy, despair is visible on the faces of Maharashtra's farmers.

Kharif crops across approximately 7 million acres in 30 districts of the state have been destroyed. This has brought a mountain of misery upon farmers and is increasing the risk of suicide.

Vast areas of soybean fields have begun to rot, while cotton plants have lost their cotton bolls. These crops were ready for harvest. Other crops have also suffered significant damage.