Unseasonal Rain, Hailstorm Cause Widespread Crop Damage Across Pune District

Unseasonal rain with strong winds and hailstorm on Wednesday and Thursday has caused significant damage to agricultural and horticultural crops across Pune district, as per a preliminary assessment report by officials of the Agriculture Department.

According to initial estimates, a total of 127 villages have been affected, impacting around 4,498 farmers and damaging crops spread over approximately 2,357 hectares of land.

Taluka-wise damage details:

Bhor: 12 villages affected, 155 farmers impacted, about 75 hectares damaged. Crops include wheat, onion, vegetables, floriculture, and mango.

Indapur: 20 villages affected, 338 farmers impacted, 296 hectares damaged. Major crops affected include banana, grapes, mango, maize, jowar, vegetables, onion, wheat, lemon, and pomegranate.

Mulshi: 5 villages affected; 84 farmers impacted; 16 hectares damaged. Damage reported to onion and vegetable crops.

Ambegaon: 23 villages affected, 755 farmers impacted, 265 hectares. Crops affected include onion, vegetables, wheat, mango, maize, and jowar.

Khed: 4 villages affected; 10 farmers impacted; 3 hectares. Wheat, onion, and vegetable crops damaged.

Daund: 17 villages affected, 543 farmers impacted, around 205 hectares affected.

Shirur: 17 villages affected; damage reported to floriculture, fodder crops, wheat, onion, vegetables, and pomegranate.

Rajgad: 7 villages affected; 29 farmers impacted; 3 hectares. Crops include onion, vegetables, jowar, and mango.

Haveli: 10 villages affected; 112 farmers impacted; 54 hectares. Crops affected include onion, vegetables, jowar, and mango.

Baramati: 12 villages affected, 282 farmers impacted, 115 hectares. Damage reported to onion, vegetables, fruit crops, and pomegranate.

Major crops affected:

Onion, vegetables, wheat, maize, jowar, bajra, banana, grapes, mango, lemon, pomegranate, watermelon, floriculture, and fodder crops have suffered extensive losses due to the sudden weather changes.

Officials stated that this is a preliminary report and a detailed survey is underway. Compensation proposals will be prepared after final verification of crop losses.

Farmers across the district have demanded immediate financial assistance, citing severe losses during a crucial stage of crop growth.