Storms Wreck Mango Crops in Gujarat, Farmers ask Relief

Aravalli, Gujarat – Severe weather conditions across Gujarat have wreaked havoc on mango farmers, especially in the Aravalli, Surat, and Rajkot districts. Torrential rains and fierce winds have not only disrupted daily life but also led to widespread crop destruction—particularly mangoes, a key summer harvest.

In Aravalli’s Meghraj taluka, late-night storms struck with gale-force winds, tearing through mango orchards and leaving behind a trail of devastation. Mangoes, nearly ripe for harvest, were knocked off the trees en masse, dashing the hopes of hundreds of farmers.

“We nurtured these mango trees for a whole year,” said Rameshbhai Patel, a farmer from Ambavadi village. “But the storm destroyed everything overnight. More than 80% of my crop is gone. What will we feed our families now?”

The situation is no different in Surat and Rajkot, where similar windstorms coupled with heavy rain uprooted trees and flattened mango orchards. The Gujarat Meteorological Department had issued a forecast for strong winds and scattered rainfall in Saurashtra, Central, and North Gujarat. Still, few anticipated such widespread crop losses.

“I had invested ₹2 lakh this season in mango farming,” said Haribhai Solanki of Rajkot district. “Now the fruits are on the ground, bruised and unsellable. The government must support us before we go bankrupt.”

According to local officials, emergency teams are assessing the damage in affected areas. However, farmers claim that immediate assistance is critical to prevent further financial distress.

The cyclone-like winds and relentless rainfall have highlighted the vulnerability of Gujarat’s agriculture sector to climate irregularities. The mango belt, which contributes significantly to local economies, is now in crisis.

“The government must treat this as a natural calamity and provide compensation,” urged Kishanbhai Rathod, a farmer leader in Aravalli. “We’re not asking for luxuries—just fair relief for our hard work turned to waste.”

With more rain predicted in the coming days, the state’s farming community remains on edge. Farmers across affected districts are calling on the state administration to initiate crop loss surveys and deliver timely financial aid.