The Maharashtra Agriculture Department has issued an urgent advisory for farmers and citizens in anticipation of volatile weather conditions. Starting from March 30, cloudy skies and afternoon thunderstorms are expected to affect several regions, possibly accompanied by hail and high-velocity winds until April 4. Meteorological data indicates a three-phase weather pattern evolution.
Intense weather activity is forecasted on March 30 in Khandesh, Marathwada, Western Vidarbha, and the Ghat areas of Central Maharashtra. These regions may witness lightning, gusty winds, and localized hailstorms. On March 31, a temporary decrease in intensity is expected, with atmospheric instability leading to scattered light rain and cloudy conditions.
From April 1 to 4, the storms are projected to intensify again, bringing widespread rain, thunderstorms, and potential hail across Central Maharashtra, Khandesh, Marathwada, and Vidarbha. The Agriculture Department emphasizes the importance of safeguarding harvested crops, urging farmers to move produce to secure storage or cover it with waterproof tarpaulins to prevent damage from rain and moisture.
To mitigate risks of life and livestock loss during lightning strikes and heavy winds, safety protocols have been issued by the state government. These include seeking proper shelter, maintaining a safe distance from utilities, and ensuring livestock safety. Farmers are advised to avoid standing under trees or in temporary tin sheds during thunderstorms, stay away from electric transformers and power poles, and move domestic animals to sturdy, closed shelters away from open fields.
The weather shift, typical of the pre-monsoon transition, is attributed to rising summer temperatures creating atmospheric instability. Late March and early April are crucial for Maharashtra’s agrarian economy as crops like wheat, gram (harbhara), and various fruits are in the harvesting stage. Early warnings are deemed essential for disaster mitigation, considering the economic distress caused by sudden hailstorms in previous years.
