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.
