India - Another spell of unseasonal rains coming up, more crop damage likely

10.03.2023 981 views

Unseasonal rains are likely to come up for central and southern parts of the country during next week. Scale and intensity of weather is likely to cause extensive damage to the standing crops over many parts of the country. Dissonant weather conditions will stay longer both in space and time, as compared to the recent spell, earlier this week. 

During the run-up-to Holi, unseasonal rain and thundershowers smashed crops in substantial parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra between 06th and 08th March.  Strong winds and hailstorm literally decimated some pockets beyond recovery.  Lodging of most Rabi crops in some of the districts left anxious concern for both,  small and big farmers. To mitigate losses, state governments have ordered survey to assess the gauge of calamity.

Madhya Pradesh was the most ravaged state where nearly 18 districts were distressed, mostly located on the western half of the state, including capital city Bhopal.  Most grieved  districts included Mandsaur, Shajapur, Neemuch, Raisen, Rajgarh, Sehore, Guna, Dhar, Alirajpur, Barwani, Vidhisha, Bhopal, Ujjain and Sagar. Intense hailstorm activity lashed Dewas, Raisen, Chhindwara and Seoni.  Southern districts of Rajasthan and some eastern parts covering Dholpur, Dungarpur, Sarwad and Jaisalmer experienced inclement weather activity.  Five districts of Maharashtra, Thane and Palghar on the coast and Washim, Nashik and Aurangabad faced fury of thunderstorm and strong winds. These are crucial  locations where harvest has just commenced or it is round the corner.

Another painful  spell of thunderstorm and hailstorm is making advances. To add insult to the injury, rough weather conditions are likely over central and southern parts during next week. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha will be the select target for burdening weather conditions. Out of these, Gujarat and Rajasthan may get away with minor penalties, whereas Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will face the brunt. Hard hitting weather conditions will extend over Peninsular India covering Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and North Karnataka. 

Interaction between multiple systems will trigger wide spread weather activity over central, eastern and southern parts of the country between 13th and 18th March, albeit in a staggered manner.  Plains of North India may get minimal intrusion of hazardous activity.  Firstly, South Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Marathwada and later Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and North Karnataka will witness fury of lightening strikes and thunderstorms. Hailstorm is quite likely over Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra on 15th and 16th March. Wandering stormy conditions may prove ruinous for some crops. However, the heat stress will ease out during the week from most parts of the country.

Source - https://www.skymetweather.com

09.04.2026

Moldova - Farmers received 117 million lei in insurance subsidies

The Agency for Investments and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) announced that it has completed the payment of insurance subsidies (70% of the amount of insurance premiums) for 654 farmer applications received between February 1 and September 30, 2025. The total amount of subsidies to this category for last year amounted to LE 117.08 million.

09.04.2026

Philippines - Antique farmers urged to plant drought-resistant crops ahead of El Niño

The Antique Office of the Provincial Agriculturist is advising farmers to grow drought-resistant crops in preparation for the possible effects of El Niño.

09.04.2026

India - Farmers Urge Govt To Work On Climate Change Policy, Develop Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties

Farmers who lost their Rabi crops due to untimely hailstorms, rain, and strong winds say compensation is not a foolproof solution to the issue. Instead, the government should develop a comprehensive climate change policy and focus on developing climate-resilient crop varieties, seeds that can withstand excess moisture, resist lodging from strong winds, or mature early enough to escape erratic weather.

09.04.2026

Farmers proffer solutions to tackle Nigeria’s $10bn annual post-harvest losses

Some farmers in the country have proffered workable solutions to address Nigeria’s growing post-harvest losses estimated at $10 billion annually.

09.04.2026

India - Pre-monsoon season emerging as new high-risk period for crops, analysis shows

The monsoon has long been seen as the most destructive season for Indian agriculture, with heavy rains and floods between June and September damaging crops across large areas.

09.04.2026

Azerbaijan plans to insure new crops and boost payments for flood damages

The scope of the agricultural insurance system in Azerbaijan is being expanded, and along with the insurance of new products, the volume of payments for flood and inundation losses is expected to increase, Deputy Chairperson of the Agricultural Insurance Fund (AIF), Laman Aliyeva-Mamishova, told Trend.

08.04.2026

South Korean hail damages 802 hectares of crops in South Jeolla

In South Jeolla Province, a hailstorm caused damage to more than 800 hectares of crops, with the impact concentrated in Naju, the country's main pear production area. This has raised concerns about the 2026 harvest.

08.04.2026

Corn leafhopper caused US$25.8 billion loss over four years in Brazil

The corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis), which is considered the crop’s main pest, has caused billions in losses to Brazilian production. A new study has quantified the economic impact of corn stunt diseases on Brazilian production.