Unseasonal rain hits crops in 16000 Gujarat villages across 249 talukas, survey teams assess losses

Crops have been damaged in more than 16,000 villages across 249 talukas of Gujarat following a month of unseasonal rainfall, according to the state government’s preliminary assessment. Officials said an average of 4 inches of rain was recorded statewide, disrupting the kharif season and destroying standing crops in several districts.

Survey work has been completed in about 70% of the affected areas, and more than 4,800 teams are currently conducting field assessments to estimate the extent of the damage.

Saurashtra and South Gujarat worst hit 

South Gujarat recorded the highest unseasonal rainfall at 6 inches, followed by Saurashtra with 5.5 inches, East-Central Gujarat with 3.25 inches, North Gujarat with 1.75 inches, and Kutch with 1.7 inches. The government said the rainfall has caused widespread losses to groundnut crops in Saurashtra and cotton fields in South Gujarat.

Farmers in these regions have reported significant financial stress as the rains struck during the harvest period. While the full extent of the losses is yet to be determined, officials expect the number of affected villages and hectares to increase as surveys progress.

Kharif sowing slightly higher than last year

As of October 28, kharif sowing in Gujarat stood at 84.94 lakh hectares—a slight increase from 84.88 lakh hectares during the same period last year. However, officials noted that the unseasonal rainfall has offset much of this gain, leaving thousands of farmers facing heavy losses.

Groundnut remains the dominant crop this year, covering 22.02 lakh hectares, followed by cotton on 20.95 lakh hectares and fodder crops on 9.59 lakh hectares. Region-wise, Saurashtra accounted for the largest cultivated area at 37.71 lakh hectares, followed by North Gujarat with 18.08 lakh hectares and South Gujarat with 7.10 lakh hectares.

Nearly 10 lakh hectares of crops damaged

Preliminary findings show that unseasonal rainfall has damaged crops across nearly 10 lakh hectares, a figure expected to rise further as survey data is compiled. Cereal crops were sown on 13.81 lakh hectares, pulses on 4.64 lakh hectares, oilseeds on 32.04 lakh hectares, and other crops on 34.43 lakh hectares.

Largest cultivated crop by region (in hectares)

Kharif crop sowing by region (in hectares)

Officials continue to assess damage

Government officials have said that survey teams will complete their evaluations in the remaining talukas in the coming days. Once assessments are finalised, the state is expected to announce relief measures for affected farmers.