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

10.03.2023 1276 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

21.10.2026

India - Government launches Pashudhan Bima Portal to streamline livestock insurance, claims and monitoring

The Government today launched Pashudhan Bima Portal in New Delhi. The Portal will provide a single, integrated digital platform for livestock insurance, enabling streamlined policy issuance, claim processing, monitoring and reporting in case of animals insured under the Livestock Insurance Scheme of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. 

21.10.2026

Malaysia - Perak Perhilitan monitoring elephant herd after crop destruction complaints

The Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has received six official complaints this year from oil palm smallholders in Kampung Perlop 1, Sungai Siput, over wild elephants destroying crops and plantation infrastructure.

21.10.2026

Philippines - Ilocos Norte farmers seek insurance aid as drought causes crop damage

Farmers in Currimao, Ilocos Norte, have begun filing agricultural insurance claims after a prolonged dry spell caused an estimated Php 5 million in crop losses, threatening local agricultural production and livelihoods.

21.10.2026

USA - Safety Net or System Change? Minnesota Farmers Weigh Competing Visions

The state’s District 1 race offers a choice between an incumbent focused on crop insurance and markets, and a challenger calling for tariff relief and corporate accountability.

21.10.2026

Philippine farmers face insurance gap as storm losses mount

Proposed subsidy cuts threaten coverage for millions of farmers.

21.10.2026

South Korea - Extreme heat drives livestock insurance claims past 2,000 cases

Extreme summer heat has pushed livestock insurance claims from farms past 2,000 cases in the last two months, with pigs and poultry bearing the brunt.

20.10.2026

USA - High-Yield Cotton Farms Win Big in New Insurance Policy Shift

Growers can finally combine supplemental coverage with farm programs without losing protection that fits their operation. Meanwhile, federal officials are developing trade incentives for four countries that could expand demand for American cotton.

20.10.2026

India - Sanjay Lalla to head EASE project for PSU general insurers

The proposed EASE framework could provide a common reform roadmap for public sector general insurers, with a focus on improving productivity, strengthening governance, modernising technology platforms and enhancing customer service. Its effectiveness, however, will depend on how quickly the recommendations are translated into measurable operational and financial improvements.