After an eight-day dry spell, monsoon rains have returned to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, bringing much-needed relief to farmers and giving a fresh lease of life to Kharif crops. The showers, which began on Wednesday afternoon, continued into Thursday, with several talukas receiving moderate to heavy rainfall.
While the rainfall has rejuvenated crops across the district, it has also caused flooding in rivers, drains, and agricultural fields. In Karanjkhed village of Kannad taluka, heavy rains have led to the overflowing of the Purna River and Lendi, Kasari, and Davdi drains for the second day in a row. The area received 87 mm of rain by Thursday evening, significantly boosting the growth of recently sown crops.
Farmers in Undangaon and Lihakhedi also welcomed two days of continuous rain, which has proven highly beneficial for maize, soybean, and cotton crops. However, the downpour disrupted weekly markets, causing losses to some local traders. Moderate rainfall was recorded in Bankinhola, Bhaigaon, Warkhedi, and nearby regions. Farmers expressed happiness over the improvement in soil moisture, as the threat of double sowing has now been averted.
Elsewhere in the district, Soygaon, Banoti, and Kaldari also experienced heavy rains. The Agnavati River overflowed, and the Kaldari dam reached its full capacity. In Vadgaon Phata, an ST bus became stranded due to waterlogging on the road, but quick action by the driver and conductor ensured that all passengers were safely evacuated.
In Khultabad taluka, persistent rainfall has caused smaller rivers and streams to overflow. In Bazar Sawangi, local eateries (dhabas) experienced leakages due to the non-stop rain over the past two days, raising concerns among residents. According to the Revenue Department, the district recorded an average of 25.30 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to 11 a.m. on Thursday. Kannad taluka received the highest rainfall at 60.70 mm, while Vaijapur recorded the lowest at 7 mm.
So far, 70–80% of sowing has been completed in the district. The return of the monsoon is expected to accelerate agricultural activities, though experts caution that excess water in some fields could yellow the crops. Overall, the mood among farmers remains optimistic, with many hopeful for a productive Kharif season ahead.