India - El Nino leaves North MP, Bundelkhand dry

22.09.2015 396 views
As monsoon is all set to withdraw by month end, El Nino has hit hard whole of Bundelkhand and Gwalior-Chambal region and parts of eastern MP. Scarce rain in these areas have been badly damaged crops. Director, Indian Meteorological department state unit Anupam Kashyapi said after scarce rain, it is going to be a warmer winter, this year. El Nino, or a warming of sea-surface temperatures in Pacific, can lead to blistering weather across Asia and east Africa and result in heavy rain and floods in South America. This has been the strongest El Nino and would continue to affect weather till first quarter of next year, said Kashyapi. "Not only the onset of winter is going to be delayed but also it is going to be warmer all across the country," he said. Before the onset of monsoon he had advised government to ask the farmers to go for crops that require less water as from mid-August to September there would be less rainfall. Now, almost at the end of monsoon Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur and Shivpuri are facing drought-like conditions. "These districts have received almost 30% less rainfall than their yearly quota," he said. Besides, in all the districts of Bundelkhand including Sagar, Damoh, Panna, Tikamgarh and Chhatarpur, situation is very bad. Monsoon has also disappointed Anuppur, Shahdol, Katni, Rewa, Sidhi Singrauli and Balaghat districts. Kashyapi said from September 20 to 22, rainfall is likely in many places of east MP but situation is going to be "irreparable" in the abovementioned 12 districts. Situation may improve in Mandla, Jabalpur, Narisgnpur, Satna, Seoni and Umaria as monsoon is still active for three days in this region. He said all districts of western MP and districts of Chhindwara and Dindori, monsoon has been normal. Meanwhile, Congress has already started making demand to declare Gwalior -Chambal region as drought affected. In a letter written to chief minister, Congress MLA from Sheopur, Ramniwas Rawat raised the demand. He said there has been no rainfall in the region for last 30 days. "There is no moisture left in the fields and all crops of soyabean, paddy, linseed and pulses among others have been completely damaged." "Had there been a UPA government, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan would have written a letter seeking help. But NDA government is not listening to him and he can do little. Farmers have also not been compensated for last year's damaged crop," he said. Agriculture minister Gaurishankar Bisen talking to TOI said, "I am waiting for a report from revenue department. As soon as I get it, I will let you know about crop condition in the state."
25.06.2026

USA - USDA Highlights Growing Use of Supplemental Crop Insurance Coverage

USDA Conservation Secretary Richard Fordyce says enhanced risk management tools are helping farmers strengthen their safety net.

25.06.2026

India - Mysuru DC orders complete crop survey amid drought concerns

With concerns over a possible drought looming over the district, Deputy Commissioner G Lakshmikanth Reddy has directed officials to ensure 100 per cent coverage of the monsoon crop survey scheduled to begin on July 1, stressing that no farmer should be left out of relief and insurance benefits.

25.06.2026

USA - Hood College Receives Research Grant Targeting Invasive Fly Species Responsible for Over $700M in Agricultural Damage

The Hood College Department of Biology has received a $19,998 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct research on natural predators of the invasive Spotted-Wing Drosophila fly.

25.06.2026

China - Public unwillingness to purchase flood insurance contributes to protection gap

In May 2026, southern and central China experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall, which triggered widespread flooding, and caused multiple fatalities and displacement of tens of thousands of people. 

25.06.2026

India - Maha govt crackdown on Konkan forest fires, Jalgaon's fake crop insurance fraudsters

Maharashtra Forest Minister, Ganesh Naik, on Thursday addressed the rising concern of forest fires in the Konkan region, attributing them largely to a lack of public awareness and deep-rooted misconceptions among local farmers.

25.06.2026

Azerbaijan - Progress in agricultural insurance made

Coverage of agricultural insurance is expanding in Azerbaijan, and its minister noted that progress has been made.

24.06.2026

USA - White House Seeks $11 Billion More Aid for Farmers

The White House is asking Congress for more than $11 billion in additional farm assistance, including new economic support for 2026 row and specialty crop producers and disaster aid tied to losses from the Southeast freeze.

24.06.2026

Nigerian farmers urged to embrace agricultural insurance

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Hon. Yazid Shehu Danfulani, has called on farmers, agribusiness owners, and stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to take advantage of agricultural insurance schemes designed to protect their investments and strengthen the nation’s agricultural sector.