Unseasonal rains are likely to come up for central and southern parts of the country during next week. The scale and intensity of weather is likely to cause extensive damage to the standing crops over many parts of the country. Dissonant weather conditions will stay longer both in space and time, as compared to the recent spell, earlier this week.
During the run-up-to Holi, unseasonal rain and thundershowers smashed crops in substantial parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra between 06th and 08th March. Strong winds and hailstorm literally decimated some pockets beyond recovery. Lodging of most Rabi crops in some of the districts left anxious concern for both, small and big farmers. To mitigate losses, state governments have ordered survey to assess the gauge of calamity.
Madhya Pradesh was the most ravaged state where nearly 18 districts were distressed, mostly located on the western half of the state, including capital city Bhopal. Most grieved districts included Mandsaur, Shajapur, Neemuch, Raisen, Rajgarh, Sehore, Guna, Dhar, Alirajpur, Barwani, Vidhisha, Bhopal, Ujjain and Sagar. Intense hailstorm activity lashed Dewas, Raisen, Chhindwara and Seoni. Southern districts of Rajasthan and some eastern parts covering Dholpur, Dungarpur, Sarwad and Jaisalmer experienced inclement weather activity. Five districts of Maharashtra, Thane and Palghar on the coast and Washim, Nashik and Aurangabad faced fury of thunderstorm and strong winds. These are crucial locations where harvest has just commenced or it is round the corner.
Another painful spell of thunderstorm and hailstorm is making advances. To add insult to the injury, rough weather conditions are likely over central and southern parts during next week. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha will be the select target for burdening weather conditions. Out of these, Gujarat and Rajasthan may get away with minor penalties, whereas Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will face the brunt. Hard hitting weather conditions will extend over Peninsular India covering Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and North Karnataka.
Interaction between multiple systems will trigger wide spread weather activity over central, eastern and southern parts of the country between 13th and 18th March, albeit in a staggered manner. Plains of North India may get minimal intrusion of hazardous activity. Firstly, South Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Marathwada and later Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and North Karnataka will witness fury of lightening strikes and thunderstorms. Hailstorm is quite likely over Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra on 15th and 16th March. Wandering stormy conditions may prove ruinous for some crops. However, the heat stress will ease out during the week from most parts of the country.