Photo Credit - Third Pole

Tejas Navale

Pune: As the summer season unfolds, Maharashtra finds itself grappling with a sudden shift in weather patterns. Recent days have been marked by intense heat across the state, particularly affecting Mumbai, Raigad, and Thane. However, unexpected rain showers have also made an appearance, bringing both relief and disruption to various regions of Maharashtra.

In Latur district, where scorching heat has been prevalent for days, unseasonal rain has caused significant disturbances to daily life. The sudden downpour has not only provided respite from the heat but has also brought unforeseen challenges. Mango and grape crops, vital to the region's economy, have suffered damage due to the hailstorms accompanying the rain.

Hail rain wreaked havoc in several areas of Latur district, including Kopegaon and Gangapur. The Nilanga taluka witnessed hailstorms accompanied by strong gale-force winds, causing further damage to crops and orchards. Rural villages in Latur have also been affected by the rains, impacting the livelihoods of farmers.

The adverse weather conditions have had a direct impact on agricultural activities, with mango orchards and vineyards bearing the brunt of the unseasonal rain. Reports indicate damage to saffron mango orchards, adding to the woes of farmers already struggling with the aftermath of the sudden weather change. Additionally, sorghum crops have suffered losses, exacerbating the agricultural crisis in the region.

Solapur district's Akkalkot taluka has also experienced unseasonal rains, leading to disruptions in transportation services between two villages. Meanwhile, areas in Mahabaleshwar and Ratnagiri districts of Satara have also witnessed unexpected rainfall.

The sudden onset of unseasonal rain and hailstorms has highlighted the vulnerability of Maharashtra's agricultural sector to unpredictable weather patterns. Farmers, already facing challenges such as water scarcity and fluctuating market prices, now find themselves grappling with crop damage and financial losses.