The state is in scorching heat, leading to highly unpredictable weather conditions. The renowned Burhanpur district, known for its substantial banana cultivation, has been hit hard with severe losses due to a thunderstorm. This disaster, which struck on the evening of May 25, has caused extensive damage to banana crops, leaving farmers distressed.

In reaction to this catastrophe, former Union Minister Arun Yadav has urged immediate government intervention. He posted on X, stating, "Banana crops in the Burhanpur district have been heavily damaged due to strong thunderstorms on the evening of May 25. I am calling on my government to immediately distribute relief funds under RBC 6-4 to the farmers and conduct a crop survey by the revenue staff so that the affected farmers can receive compensation for their crops."

Burhanpur, a significant hub for banana cultivation in the country, is home to over 19,000 farmers who cultivate bananas on 23,650 acres of land. The district's banana produce, which has gained international recognition, serves as a crucial source of income for local farmers, with an average annual production of 16.54 metric tonnes. The severe damage to these crops is not just a regional issue but a national concern that requires immediate attention.

The thunderstorm has put the livelihoods of many farmers at risk, leading to urgent calls for government assistance to mitigate the impact and provide relief to those affected. The demand for a prompt survey and compensation aims to help farmers recover from the losses and resume their agricultural activities. 

Cyclone Remal damaged crops on 3,074 hectares of land in Jashore, according to the district's Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Due to Cyclone Remal's influence, Jashore experienced heavy rainfall and strong winds throughout May 26. The severity of the rain and winds escalated during the night, affecting various crops.

The cyclone's wrath was not discriminatory, impacting many crops, including vegetables, bananas, mangoes, sesame, papaya, mug, chilli, jute, litchi, and lemons. This season, Jashore's agricultural landscape was diverse, with 14,220 hectares of vegetables, 587 hectares of bananas, 3,924 hectares of mangoes, 1,680 hectares of sesame, 559 hectares of papaya, 515 hectares of mug, 435 hectares of chilli, 23,550 hectares of jute, 641 hectares of litchi, and 148 hectares of lemons being cultivated.

DAE Deputy Director Dr Sushanta Kumar Tarapdar stated that it might take a day or two to evaluate the extent of the damage to these affected crops. The initial step is to ascertain the amount of land impacted by the cyclone and then determine the damage's extent.

The farmers, the backbone of our agricultural sector, have been hit hard this year. They have expressed their despair as all crops, except paddy, have suffered damage. A relentless heatwave lasting for over a month has caused widespread damage to fruits, particularly mangoes and litchis, which have also lost their juiciness. The cyclone has only added to their woes, inflicting a second round of damage.