Madhya Pradesh farmers face Rs 400 crore loss after freak storms flatten crops
Unseasonal rain and strong winds have struck Madhya Pradesh, causing widespread damage to crops across 15 districts. Farmers report heavy losses, with estimates placing the total financial impact at around Rs 400 crore. The worst-hit areas include Bhopal, Sagar, Jabalpur, and Rewa-Satna. High-speed winds and thunderstorms have flattened vegetable fields, destroyed mango orchards, and scattered wheat stocks outside procurement centres. Crops like onion, tomato, brinjal, bottle gourd, ladyfinger, papaya, and banana suffered severe harm, while mango trees experienced significant fruit drop.
Farmers such as Kedar Sirohi described losses in mango, vegetable, and mung crops, along with wheat loaded at mandis. Bharatiya Kisan Sangh state president Kamal Anjana confirmed the estimated damage of Rs 400 crore. The extreme weather stems from moisture-rich winds from the Bay of Bengal clashing with an active western disturbance.
Forecasters warn that thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds will persist until May 3. Wheat left outside weighing stations at mandis faced the brunt of the damage, worsening the impact on local agriculture. The ongoing storms have left farmers facing substantial financial setbacks. With weather conditions expected to continue for days, further losses remain a risk. Authorities and agricultural groups are assessing the full extent of the damage across the affected regions.
