Relief out of reach
In 2025, unseasonal rains and floods devastated crops across Maharashtra, affecting 3 million farmers and 6.5 million hectares of agricultural land. Despite a ₹31,628-crore relief package, many farmers, including Nagubai Chaudhary, have not received full compensation due to bureaucratic delays and documentation issues. The crisis has led to rising debt, land sales, and a spike in farmer suicides, particularly in the Dharashiv district.
- ▪Unseasonal rains in 2025 caused flash floods that damaged 6.5 million hectares of crops across Maharashtra, affecting 3 million farmers.
- ▪The Maharashtra government announced a ₹31,628-crore relief package, but many farmers have not received compensation due to pending e-KYC and lack of documentation.
- ▪Nagubai Chaudhary lost her husband, sold part of her land to repay debts, and has not received promised relief, including funds for topsoil restoration.
- ▪From July to December 2025, 78 farmer suicides were reported in Dharashiv district, followed by 36 more from January to April 2026.
- ▪Compensation rates were set at ₹18,500 to ₹47,000 per hectare depending on land type and damage, but disbursement has been inconsistent across affected regions.
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Nagubai Chaudhary, 52, had always believed that the land would take care of her, and it did. For as long as she can remember. But in 2025, unseasonal rains lashed parts of western and central Maharashtra. The flash floods that ensued devastated the kharif crop.When the land began to dry, Nagubai and her husband, Malinath, 60, had to quickly think of how to survive the season. “We paid to level the damaged topsoil, and sowed onions. They usually give a quick yield. But the crop failed. It created more debt,” said Nagubai, wiping her tears with the end of her floral pink saree. Unseasonal rains in Maharashtra: Govt will provide farmers all assistance, promises CMThen, her husband died.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Hindu — Top.
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