Heavy rain accompanied by lightning flooded roads in Vaibhavwadi and damaged harvested paddy after an intense spell swept across parts of Sindhudurg district on Monday evening, affecting the taluka’s town area and nearby agricultural settlements.
The rain began around 4 pm in the Karul and Bhuiबावडा areas and spread across Vaibhavwadi within about an hour, according to the report. The downpour continued for roughly an hour, leaving roads in Vaibhavwadi town covered with water and causing rainwater to flow through several stretches that had remained dry for days.
Water levels in local rivers and streams also rose following the spell. Rain showers were reported in parts of Sawantwadi and Kudal, while strong showers had affected much of Sawantwadi, Vaibhavwadi and Vengurla on Sunday. In Sawantwadi, rain continued in several areas until late at night and returned in parts of the taluka early on Monday before the weather cleared during the day.
The sudden rain caused losses for farmers who had harvested paddy earlier in the day. With the rain stopping by morning, farmers had proceeded with harvesting, but the cut crop was left exposed and became wet during the evening downpour. Paddy harvested at Kokisare-Narkarwadi in Vaibhavwadi was reported to have been soaked in the rain.
The episode has added to the uncertainty faced by farmers during the harvest period. Rain had earlier remained deficient across the district, with Sindhudurg recording a 36 per cent shortfall. By September, several rivers and streams had begun drying up, raising concerns about possible water scarcity.
To address the potential shortage, the district administration constructed 10,439 Vanrai bunds. The recent northeast monsoon showers have since increased water levels in rivers and streams in parts of the district. The rainfall could support local water availability, even as the same weather event has caused losses to harvested crops and temporary waterlogging in built-up areas.
The report did not provide an official assessment of the total crop damage or details of compensation for affected farmers. Further administrative assessment will be required to establish the extent of losses caused by the rain. The district’s water situation and the condition of harvested paddy remain the immediate issues following the latest spell.
