Rain pain for many but gain for farmers in Malwa Nimar

The rains that returned after gap of over 20 days in Malwa and Nimar area have raised hopes of good harvest this kharif season. Most farmers are busy draining away excess rainwater from farms to avoid damage to crops.

The rain spell after a 20-day gap in Madhya Pradesh’s Malwa and Nimar region has raised hopes of good kharif harvest among the farmers, said agriculture experts and farmers on Sunday.

The rains are continuing to lash the south-west parts of the state and some farms are getting flooded. But, farmers and agriculture experts see it as crop-friendly spell.

DHAR: Rains which lashed district after gap of 23 days have benefited soybean, maize, cotton, and pulses crops which have been sown on 5.14 lakh hectares. Agriculture department deputy director P L Sahu said the district has achieved 100% target of sowing kharif crops and ongoing rain will prove productive.

The district has received 23 inches of rains so far against the annual average rainfall of 35 inches.

DEWAS: The intermittent rain spells in last 24 hours have cheered the farmers as they now rule out possibility of drought. The district has received average rainfall of over 25 inches including two inches received in last 12 hours. While farmers are happy, rainwater inundating low lying areas has caused inconvenience to inhabitants.

RATLAM: District received nine-inch rainfall in last 48 hours. Since the rainfall occurred after gap of 25 days, farmers are busy draining out water from farms. The delay in monsoon had caused premature flowering of crops. The heavy downpour in last 48 hours has flattened plants. Though farmers said that actual damage could be assessed only when rains stop, they don't rule out 20% damage to soybean and maize crops.

KHARGONE: Intermittent rain spells received in last 24 hours have raised hope as farmers prepare for re-sowing of soybean, maize, millet and moong crops in the district which has not received heavy rains so far. Delay in monsoon damaged kharif crops sown over 20,000 hectares, according to agriculture department deputy director A Kevada. However, chili and cotton crops sown on 80,000 hectares are in good condition.

KHANDWA: Light to moderate rains received in last 24 hours have delighted the farmers who say it will help crops to achieve proper growth. Sihada village farmer Satish Malakar said he is happy as possibility of drought has been ruled out. District has not received heavy rains. The total rainfall received in Khandwa district is 1197.5mm which is less than the previous year's rainfall of 1584 mm. The 10-inch rainfall received so far has increased water level in Kunda and Veda rivers.

MANDSAUR, NEEMUCH: Both the districts have received 21 inches of rains against annual average rainfall of 35 inches. Local water bodies and dams are full. Water level in Hameriya dam in Neemuch district has reached danger mark. Farmers and agriculture experts have welcomed rains. No harm to crops reported so far.

THE FURIOUS FACE OF RAIN

17 out of 19 sluice gates of Gandhi Sagar dam in Mandsaur district have been opened to release excess water as it is receiving five lakh cusecs of rain water every day flowing from rivers in Indore and Ujjain division.

Water level in Mahi, Maan, Chambal, Bagedi, Balwanti, Chamala rivers in Dhar district on rise. Mahi river flooded for first time after 1971. Connection of 20 villages cut off as Chamala overflows. Sagwal tank bursts.

Saroj Sagar, Dholawad dam, which supplies water to Ratlam is overflowing from Saturday.

Water level in Indira Sagar has reached 252.57 meters. Its capacity is 262 meters. Water level in Omkareshwar dam has reached 190.70 meters. Its capacity is 196 meters. Both are in Khandwa district. Main streets are water-logged in Khandwa district.

Dewas-Hatpipaliya, Devgarh-Tappa Road in Dewas district closed as Lodri river has swelled.

WATER LEVEL IN LAKES

Bada Bilawali: 23 ft

Chota Bilawali: 7 ft

Pipliyapala: 22 ft

Limbodi: 6 ft

Bada Sirpur: 14.9 ft

Chota Sirpur: 14 ft

Yeshwant Sagar: 18.9 ft

(Contributed by Yadavendra Singh, Sunil Keralkar, D K Sharma, Nitin Gupta, Chhotu Shastri, Mustafa Husain)