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

10.03.2023 997 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

15.04.2026

USA - Federal aid programs aim to help Southeast Texas farmers recover from losses

Southeast Texas farmers grappling with crop losses due to extreme weather are turning to federal aid.

15.04.2026

India - Landowners waive lease payments after crop damage

Farmers with large landholdings are doing their part to ease the burden on small and marginal farmers whose crops were damaged by the April 4 storm.

15.04.2026

Reusable packaging supports cost control and compliance

Reusable food packaging systems are being used by growers and retailers to improve price predictability, manage costs, and address regulatory requirements. 

15.04.2026

India - Punjab Speaker Sandhwan urges farmers to guard wheat crops against fire, seeks immediate damage report

Kultar Singh Sandhwan has appealed to farmers across Punjab to remain vigilant and adopt preventive measures to protect standing wheat crops from fire incidents, especially during the ongoing harvest season.

15.04.2026

Pakistan - WWF introduces livestock insurance scheme

The WWF Pakistan, in collaboration with an insurance company, has introduced a new livestock insurance scheme aimed at compensating farmers for losses of domestic animals caused by wildlife.

15.04.2026

Nigeria - FG moves to contain losses as CBPP outbreak threatens cattle economy

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has moved to curb mounting economic risks in Nigeria’s cattle industry with the inauguration of a technical working group to tackle Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP).

14.04.2026

USA - Crop insurance a key to bringing diversification to the Corn Belt

A group of researchers with the Diverse Corn Belt project say transformational federal policy changes are needed to bring more opportunities to Midwestern farmers.

14.04.2026

India - Jammu and Kashmir Apple Growers Demand Crop Insurance Ahead of Peak Season

Apple growers and dealers in Sopore, a major fruit market in North Kashmir, have intensified their demand for government intervention on several fronts, including the immediate rollout of crop insurance schemes and addressing issues related to spurious pesticides and transportation logistics, ahead of the peak harvest season.