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Marathwada has been reeling under unprecedented rainfall over the past four days, flooding crop land and leaving farmers across Dharashiv, Beed, Jalna, Latur, and Parbhani districts in severe distress. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday visited the affected regions, interacting with farmers, consoling them, and assuring them that their demands would be strongly raised before the state government.
The Shiv Sena UBT Chief urged farmers not to lose hope or take extreme steps, stressing that he had come only to encourage them. Farmers handed him a memorandum of their grievances, demanding urgent relief and loan waivers. Uddhav Thackeray assured them that he would push for their case and promised to stand by them if officials showed reluctance during damage assessments (panchanamas).
Farmers told Thackeray that government aid was inadequate, pointing out that entire farmlands had been washed away. They demanded ₹50,000 per hectare in compensation and loan waivers, adding that the loss of fertile soil had put the upcoming farming season at risk. Expressing discontent, several farmers said that while the Chief Minister had visited, he left without addressing their concerns.
Highlighting the gravity of the crisis, Uddhav Thackeray said, “The government must realize the situation when even the land itself has been washed away. Marathwada has always been a drought-prone region, but for the first time, excessive rainfall has created a severe flood situation. The relief announced under the 2023 norms is meager compared to the actual destruction.” He added that his visit was to extend solidarity and ensure that farmers’ voices reach the government.
Echoing similar concerns, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed grief over the situation in Marathwada. “The news of loss of lives and large-scale crop damage due to heavy rainfall in Marathwada, Maharashtra, is deeply saddening. In this difficult time, my condolences are with all the affected families. I appeal to the government and administration to expedite relief work and provide full assistance to farmers after assessing the destruction of crops. I also urge Congress leaders and workers to cooperate with the administration and extend all possible help to those in need.”
