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Untimely Calamity on the Eve of Gudi Padwa!
Untimely Calamity on the Eve of Gudi Padwa! Havoc Caused by Hailstorms in Maharashtra; Farmers Left Distraught; Losses Worth Lakhs to Grape, Mango, Wheat, and Sorghum Crops; Demand for Government Aid Raised
Mumbai/Pune, March 20, 2026: Following the intense heat of March, sudden unseasonal rains and hailstorms have wreaked havoc across Maharashtra. Between March 17 and 19, the Marathwada, Central Maharashtra, and Vidarbha regions of the state witnessed stormy winds, thunder and lightning, torrential downpours, and severe hailstorms. Farmers have been left in despair as this natural calamity struck precisely when the crops of the Rabi season were at the harvesting stage. With losses amounting to lakhs of rupees, the farming community—the 'Baliraja'—finds itself plunged into a severe financial crisis.
Major Affected Districts and Extent of Damage:
Dharashiv (Osmanabad) District: A massive hailstorm struck the Lohara taluka. Stormy winds flattened standing crops, unripe mangoes (raw mangoes) were knocked off trees, and bunches of grapes were shattered. Mango, grape, and sorghum crops suffered extensive damage.
Latur District: Both the urban center and rural areas were hit by hailstorms and rains, adversely affecting crops such as mango, grapes, and sorghum. Fruit orchards were particularly hard-hit.
Jalna District: In Siraswadi, the wheat crop was completely flattened. Hailstorms caused immense damage to onion crops and fruit orchards. For many farmers—such as Ashok Satbhaye—crops that were just on the verge of harvest were completely destroyed.
Solapur District (Sangola Taluka): A fierce hailstorm lashed the Junoni and Jujarpur areas. Grape, mango, pomegranate, and 'Kesar' mango crops suffered heavy damage, with large quantities of unripe mangoes falling from the trees.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Beed, Nanded, Parbhani: Hailstorms and rains dealt a severe blow to Rabi crops (wheat, gram, sorghum) and fruit orchards. The Kannad taluka witnessed particularly intense hailstorms. Nashik (Sinnar), Pune (Ambegaon), Kolhapur: Unseasonal Showers and Hailstorms; Rabi Crops and Fruit Production Affected.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the possibility of isolated showers, thunderstorms, and hailstorms in the regions of Vidarbha (Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, etc.), Marathwada (Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, Jalna, Beed, Dharashiv, Latur), and Central Maharashtra (Ahilyanagar, Satara, Sangli, Solapur) between March 18 and 20. The State Agriculture Department has urged farmers to remain vigilant and to secure their harvested produce.
Farmers have demanded an immediate assessment of the damage and the announcement of relief measures from the government. As the agrarian crisis intensifies—exacerbated by both superstitious beliefs and climate change—farmer organizations have issued a warning of impending protests.
Advisory:
Protect standing crops and harvested grain.
Avoid venturing outdoors during hailstorms and gusty winds.
Check weather updates regularly.
This unseasonal calamity has had a profound impact on the state's agrarian economy, effectively undoing the hard work and efforts of the farmers. Demands for the government to announce a relief package as soon as possible are gaining momentum.
Untimely Calamity on the Eve of Gudi Padwa! Havoc Caused by Hailstorms in Maharashtra; Farmers Left Distraught; Losses Worth Lakhs to Grape, Mango, Wheat, and Sorghum Crops; Demand for Government Aid Raised
Mumbai/Pune, March 20, 2026: Following the intense heat of March, sudden unseasonal rains and hailstorms have wreaked havoc across Maharashtra. Between March 17 and 19, the Marathwada, Central Maharashtra, and Vidarbha regions of the state witnessed stormy winds, thunder and lightning, torrential downpours, and severe hailstorms. Farmers have been left in despair as this natural calamity struck precisely when the crops of the Rabi season were at the harvesting stage. With losses amounting to lakhs of rupees, the farming community—the 'Baliraja'—finds itself plunged into a severe financial crisis.
Major Affected Districts and Extent of Damage:
Dharashiv (Osmanabad) District: A massive hailstorm struck the Lohara taluka. Stormy winds flattened standing crops, unripe mangoes (raw mangoes) were knocked off trees, and bunches of grapes were shattered. Mango, grape, and sorghum crops suffered extensive damage.
Latur District: Both the urban center and rural areas were hit by hailstorms and rains, adversely affecting crops such as mango, grapes, and sorghum. Fruit orchards were particularly hard-hit.
Jalna District: In Siraswadi, the wheat crop was completely flattened. Hailstorms caused immense damage to onion crops and fruit orchards. For many farmers—such as Ashok Satbhaye—crops that were just on the verge of harvest were completely destroyed.
Solapur District (Sangola Taluka): A fierce hailstorm lashed the Junoni and Jujarpur areas. Grape, mango, pomegranate, and 'Kesar' mango crops suffered heavy damage, with large quantities of unripe mangoes falling from the trees.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Beed, Nanded, Parbhani: Hailstorms and rains dealt a severe blow to Rabi crops (wheat, gram, sorghum) and fruit orchards. The Kannad taluka witnessed particularly intense hailstorms. Nashik (Sinnar), Pune (Ambegaon), Kolhapur: Unseasonal Showers and Hailstorms; Rabi Crops and Fruit Production Affected.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the possibility of isolated showers, thunderstorms, and hailstorms in the regions of Vidarbha (Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, etc.), Marathwada (Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, Jalna, Beed, Dharashiv, Latur), and Central Maharashtra (Ahilyanagar, Satara, Sangli, Solapur) between March 18 and 20. The State Agriculture Department has urged farmers to remain vigilant and to secure their harvested produce.
Farmers have demanded an immediate assessment of the damage and the announcement of relief measures from the government. As the agrarian crisis intensifies—exacerbated by both superstitious beliefs and climate change—farmer organizations have issued a warning of impending protests.
Advisory:
Protect standing crops and harvested grain.
Avoid venturing outdoors during hailstorms and gusty winds.
Check weather updates regularly.
This unseasonal calamity has had a profound impact on the state's agrarian economy, effectively undoing the hard work and efforts of the farmers. Demands for the government to announce a relief package as soon as possible are gaining momentum.
Mumbai/Pune, March 20, 2026: Following the intense heat of March, sudden unseasonal rains and hailstorms have wreaked havoc across Maharashtra. Between March 17 and 19, the Marathwada, Central Maharashtra, and Vidarbha regions of the state witnessed stormy winds, thunder and lightning, torrential downpours, and severe hailstorms. Farmers have been left in despair as this natural calamity struck precisely when the crops of the Rabi season were at the harvesting stage. With losses amounting to lakhs of rupees, the farming community—the 'Baliraja'—finds itself plunged into a severe financial crisis.
Major Affected Districts and Extent of Damage:
Dharashiv (Osmanabad) District: A massive hailstorm struck the Lohara taluka. Stormy winds flattened standing crops, unripe mangoes (raw mangoes) were knocked off trees, and bunches of grapes were shattered. Mango, grape, and sorghum crops suffered extensive damage.
Latur District: Both the urban center and rural areas were hit by hailstorms and rains, adversely affecting crops such as mango, grapes, and sorghum. Fruit orchards were particularly hard-hit.
Jalna District: In Siraswadi, the wheat crop was completely flattened. Hailstorms caused immense damage to onion crops and fruit orchards. For many farmers—such as Ashok Satbhaye—crops that were just on the verge of harvest were completely destroyed.
Solapur District (Sangola Taluka): A fierce hailstorm lashed the Junoni and Jujarpur areas. Grape, mango, pomegranate, and 'Kesar' mango crops suffered heavy damage, with large quantities of unripe mangoes falling from the trees.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Beed, Nanded, Parbhani: Hailstorms and rains dealt a severe blow to Rabi crops (wheat, gram, sorghum) and fruit orchards. The Kannad taluka witnessed particularly intense hailstorms. Nashik (Sinnar), Pune (Ambegaon), Kolhapur: Unseasonal Showers and Hailstorms; Rabi Crops and Fruit Production Affected.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the possibility of isolated showers, thunderstorms, and hailstorms in the regions of Vidarbha (Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, etc.), Marathwada (Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, Jalna, Beed, Dharashiv, Latur), and Central Maharashtra (Ahilyanagar, Satara, Sangli, Solapur) between March 18 and 20. The State Agriculture Department has urged farmers to remain vigilant and to secure their harvested produce.
Farmers have demanded an immediate assessment of the damage and the announcement of relief measures from the government. As the agrarian crisis intensifies—exacerbated by both superstitious beliefs and climate change—farmer organizations have issued a warning of impending protests.
Advisory:
Protect standing crops and harvested grain.
Avoid venturing outdoors during hailstorms and gusty winds.
Check weather updates regularly.
This unseasonal calamity has had a profound impact on the state's agrarian economy, effectively undoing the hard work and efforts of the farmers. Demands for the government to announce a relief package as soon as possible are gaining momentum.
