Nashik: Unseasonal Rainfall, Thunderstorms and Hailstorm Damage Crops

Heavy unseasonal rains, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and a hailstorm, hit parts of Nashik and its outskirts on Wednesday (2nd), causing damage to crops and disrupting normal life. The worst-affected areas include Panchavati, Makhamalabad, Mhasrul, Shinde, Palse, Madsangvi, Siddhapimpri, and Shilapur.

The Meteorological Department had earlier issued an orange alert for Nashik on Tuesday and Wednesday, later downgrading it to a yellow alert for Wednesday. While the city itself received light to moderate rainfall, rural areas experienced intense showers. A hailstorm in Shinde-Palse caused significant damage to standing crops, leaving farmers worried about their losses.

By 8 PM, the weather observation center on Peth Road recorded 5 mm of rainfall. Areas such as Gangapur, Anandvali, Satpur, CIDCO, Pathardi, Ashokamarg, DGP Nagar, Adgaon, Takli, Amritdham, and Tapovan also experienced scattered showers

The weekly market in Panchavati was severely affected, as sudden heavy rains forced vendors and customers to seek shelter. Those who had come to buy vegetables and other essentials struggled to navigate through the waterlogged market.

The rain also disrupted cultural events, including the Vasantik Navratri festival at Kalaram Temple, which suffered from power outages. Roads in Marathon Chowk became slippery, leading to multiple two-wheeler accidents, injuring at least two people.

Farmers in Siddhapimpri fear that the rains will damage their onion crops, which were ready for harvest. If rainwater seeps into the onion leaves, it can lead to spoilage, making storage difficult. Already struggling with low onion prices, farmers are now burdened by additional losses due to crop damage and the high costs of fertilizers and farming equipment.

Several areas, including Latte Nagar, Shakti Nagar, Hirawadi, Banarasi Nagar, and Bhagwati Nagar, experienced power outages due to the heavy rains. Frustrated citizens reported that their calls to the electricity department went unanswered.

The unseasonal downpour has raised concerns among farmers and city residents alike. While some welcomed the rain as relief from the summer heat, its impact on agriculture and daily life has been severe. The Meteorological Department has advised people to stay alert as weather fluctuations continue.