Two days, 1202 mm rainfall, 306 affected villages, over 38,430 hectares of crops damaged, two houses completely blown away, 25 cattle, more than 20 sheep, poultry birds dead, 20 people injured and a losses worth crores. This is what Nashik has been reduced to after an unexpected 2-day hailstorm battered the district.
On Saturday, the extent of the devastation hit the villagers, who grappled with fear, anxiety and tension. Men were found sitting in groups by the uprooted crops, women are weeping in their houses, children did not dare to play or run around.
"This hail storm has really taken away everything we had. At the moment, we are trying to accept the situation but it is very difficult. What the farmer here now needs is support and hope to stand up again. The government can help but it will never be enough. A calamity like this has left him dumbstruck. They are also in the same boat now, consoling each other and wiping away tears," said Vasant Kawale, a farmer and sarpanch of Bopgaon village in Dindori tehsil.
Bapu Sangude from Ruee wept as he recollected the hailstorm's first hit on Thursday. "Suddenly, hail stones the size of lemons came pelting down. In no time, the farms had turned white. We couldn't do anything but watch. Grape clusters came falling down and onion plantations went flat. The next day was as bad as berries started cracking and dropping off. Helpless as we were, we tried to spray pesticides on vegetables. I can't even think anymore," Bapu said.
The worst affected were the grape farmers. Vineyards were razed, trees have gone cold. The per acre cost for grapes is a minimum of Rs 1.5 lakh. Farmers have taken loans from private lenders, family or friends. This season, the main worry will be how to repay the debt.
"There are times when I feel that I should give up farming but I do not know what else I can do. There are no other opportunities in rural areas," Bapu said.
Sandeep Kad is a grape farmer from Vani. His 2.5 acre export grape vineyard was destroyed 10 days short of harvesting. "I had about 400 quintal grapes ready to be plucked. I was expecting very good returns as the yield appeared good. With a lot of effort I had maintained the European standard for growing them, had completed the paper work for export," he said, tearing up. He had spent about Rs 5 lakh per acre to cultivate his export grapes. He wondered how he could repay his debt.
Prabhakar Gangurde from Punegaon village had rushed to the farm only to see his 3.5 acres of vineyard lying flat. His wife Chandrabhaga said, "We now look to the government to help us. Otherwise, the only option for us will be to commit suicide," she said.
In areas like Vani, farmers staged an agitation. They blocked the road and some pelted stones. They ask for a realistic evaluation of the loss. "The government may give us Rs 15-20,000 aid per acre where a grape farmer has spent at least Rs 1.5 lakh per acre. How is this going to be proportional?" they ask.
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