Chandrapur, Amravati, Yavatmal: Heavy rains have triggered widespread crop losses and flooding across Vidarbha, with orange orchards in Amravati, standing crops in Yavatmal, and villages in Chandrapur suffering extensive damage. Farmers from these districts are now demanding immediate compensation and relief.Rains lashed Yavatmal for two days, with 98 revenue circles recording extremely heavy rainfall — up to 135 mm received in a single day. Preliminary estimates indicate crops spread across more than 26,000 hectares, belonging to nearly 23,000 farmers, have been washed away or severely damaged.Darwha taluka emerged as the worst-hit region, where soyabean, cotton and pigeon pea fields were devastated after floodwaters washed away standing crops and fertile topsoil. Farmers, many of whom had already re-sown crops two to three times after delayed monsoon, demanded immediate panchnamas and comprehensive compensation.In Chandrapur, former Maharashtra forest minister and BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar sought immediate damage assessments and compensation for farmers and residents affected by floods and incessant rain over the past four days.MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar flagged extensive damage to agricultural fields, standing crops, houses, cattle sheds, farm bunds and roads in Mul, Ballarpur, Pombhurna, Chandrapur and other talukas, stating flooding of Wardha and Irai rivers had inundated many villages. He urged joint surveys by revenue and agriculture depts and sought special assistance for severely affected areas.In Amravati, officials from the revenue and agriculture departments reached farms in Hivarkhed revenue circle of Morshi taluka after heavy to very heavy rains ruined orange orchards. As per preliminary information, orange crops on about 14,000 hectares were affected, with large-scale fruit drop in the ambia bahar crop and waterlogging likely to severely affect tree health.Farmers have demanded immediate financial aid. NCP Youth Congress functionary Rupesh Walke has sought a survey of all affected villages and special assistance package.
