Sowing of Kharif crops affected due to heavy rain deficit in many districts of Maharashtra

24-Jun-2025 03:37 PM

Pune. According to a report by the Meteorological Department, many districts in Maharashtra have faced a severe rain deficit during the first 23 days of June.

The eastern part of the state and the Marathwada division have been the most affected, resulting in a significant slowdown in the sowing of Kharif crops.

As per the latest data, rainfall has been substantially below the normal average in several districts. Washim district recorded an 86 percent deficit, while Hingoli, Amravati, Akola, Nagpur, and Bhandara saw a 75 percent shortfall.

Beed experienced a 69 percent deficit, Jalna 67 percent, Parbhani 61 percent, and Solapur 62 percent. These are among the districts where the rainfall deficit has crossed 60 percent.

Other districts with rainfall deficits ranging between 20 to 59 percent include Latur (31%), Chandrapur (45%), Yavatmal (49%), Gondia (53%), Buldhana (39%), and Wardha (38%).

Ahmednagar had a 13 percent deficit, Aurangabad 18 percent, Jalgaon 15 percent, Dhule 10 percent, and Sangli 4 percent. Satara recorded a 19 percent shortfall.

Conversely, some districts received more than normal rainfall. Sindhudurg recorded 21 percent more rainfall, Ratnagiri 59 percent, Pune 101 percent, Nashik 114 percent, and Raigad 123 percent above average.

Agricultural experts warn that the lack of monsoon rains in key agricultural districts of Marathwada and Vidarbha poses a serious threat to the farming sector. Farmers are increasingly concerned as Kharif sowing has been significantly disrupted.

If rainfall does not improve notably within the next 10 days, a decline in Kharif crop production in the affected districts appears likely. These regions primarily cultivate soybean and cotton, along with other crops such as pigeon pea.