By Bl Pune Bureau

Copyright thehindubusinessline

Maharashtra’s farmers are caught between relief and despair as heavy rains have left dams nearly full, but kharif crops submerged. According to the State Water Resources Department, as of September 18, 138 major projects hold 95.64 per cent live storage, compared with 94.43 per cent last year. Medium projects (260) stand at 79.86 per cent, up from 69.30 per cent, while 2,599 minor projects have 60.92 per cent storage against 47.94 per cent a year earlier.

Farmer leader Anil Ghanwat, after visiting flood-hit fields in Nanded, said backwaters from dams have destroyed crops, and more rainfall could worsen the losses. He said that Jalyukta Shivar (the government’s water conservation project) works were done in command areas, not catchments and had nothing to do with the filled dams or flooding. He demanded immediate compensation for affected farmers.

Heavy rain in August and September has damaged 17.85 lakh hectares across 30 districts, with soybean, maize, cotton, urad, tur, and moong worst hit. Vegetables, fruits, bajra, sugarcane, onion, jowar, and turmeric have also suffered. Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane said the government has begun relief measures and promised compensation.

Grief and relief

“Filled dams will help rabi crops, but in Vidarbha where farming is rainfed, losing the kharif crop leaves farmers with no option to recover,” said Avinash Shende, a farmer from Yavatmal . He said farmers have lost soybean harvest. In western Maharashtra, farmers fear that continued rains and dam discharges will damage sugarcane and other crops. Farmers in Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara have already lost fields to overflowing waters.

Farmers across the regions have complained of fungal diseases, pests, and rotting. Heavy rains have also led to leaching of essential nutrients and topsoil erosion, reducing soil fertility, especially in Kolhapur and Sangli districts.

Yet some see a silver lining. “Rabi cultivation will benefit, and there won’t be disputes between urban and rural users over water as in recent years,” said Pune farmer Nilesh Patil. Irrigation officials maintained they are closely monitoring rainfall to regulate releases and prevent flooding.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar urged the state to declare a “wet drought” and sought ₹50,000 per hectare in aid. In a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he stressed that farmers, already battered by unseasonal downpours, need urgent financial support to survive.

IMD Predictions

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday forecast continuous rainfall across Maharashtra over the next five days, with light to moderate showers accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in some areas.

The state has already recorded above-average rainfall this monsoon. From June 1 to September 18, all regions of Maharashtra recorded excess rainfall. The Konkan received 2,498 mm against the normal 2,286 mm, a departure of 9 per cent. Central Maharashtra registered 558.6 mm compared to 526.5 mm, a rise of 6 per cent. Marathwada received 430 mm against the normal 411.2 mm, an increase of 5 per cent, while Vidarbha recorded 728.2 mm compared to 684 mm, a departure of 6 per cent.

In August, rainfall stood at 105.1 per cent of the seasonal average, while in September so far, the figure has surged to 132.4 per cent of normal. The fresh prediction of more rain has left farmers anxious about further crop damage.

Published on September 18, 2025