Maharashtra Government Offers Rs 1,339 Crore Aid to Flooded Farmers

The government of Maharashtra has announced a significant assistance package of Rs 1,339 crore for farmers whose crops were adversely affected by heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. This announcement was made on Tuesday, following extensive assessments of crop damage caused by relentless rains between June and August, as reported by ANI.

The relief funds will be directly transferred to the affected farmers’ bank accounts through a process known as direct benefit transfers (DBT). This initiative aims to provide immediate financial support based on panchnama surveys that evaluated crop damage in the specified period. However, officials noted that assessments for damage resulting from the ongoing rainfall in the Marathwada region are still pending completion.

An official government order clarified that the disbursed funds must be separated from other departmental relief funds allocated for crop damage this season. The order also emphasized that assistance should be distributed at the prescribed rate and only once per season. To ensure transparency in the distribution process, the beneficiaries’ list, along with the related order, will be published on the respective district websites.

Severe Weather Conditions and Consequences

Maharashtra faced intense rainfall between August 18 and 21, particularly in the Konkan region and the adjoining hilly areas of Madhya Maharashtra. According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai, the monsoon trough extended from Naliya to a well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued multiple weather alerts, including red alerts for several western coastal districts on August 18 and 19, followed by yellow alerts on August 20 and 21. The warnings included advisories for flooding in low-lying urban areas and disruptions to transport services.

The recent weather has had catastrophic effects in the Marathwada region, which is typically prone to drought. Over the past four days, heavy rains have resulted in severe flooding, infrastructure damage, and widespread crop loss. Reports indicate that at least eight individuals have died due to rain-related incidents, including drowning and lightning strikes. The fatalities occurred in Latur, Beed, and other districts, according to the state revenue department.

Rescue efforts have been mobilized, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deploying boats and helicopters to assist those affected. A total of 27 individuals have been rescued, and approximately 200 people have been relocated to safer areas.

Infrastructure Damage and Ongoing Challenges

The torrential downpours have wreaked havoc on local infrastructure as well. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, two schools and a road sustained damage, while three bridges were affected in Jalna and Beed districts. Furthermore, five small dams in Marathwada have been compromised due to flooding, prompting authorities to begin discharging excess water from the catchment areas of the Jayakwadi and Majalgaon dams.

The situation remains critical as the government continues to assess the full extent of the damage and provide necessary assistance to the affected communities. As the recovery efforts proceed, the focus will be on ensuring that farmers receive the aid they need to recover from this devastating weather event.