Cyclone Montha Devastates Jharkhand Crops: Flooded Paddy, Rotting Harvests and Delayed Planting

Heavy rains and strong winds from Cyclone Montha have severely damaged crops across Jharkhand, India, leaving many fields waterlogged or flattened and threatening this season's harvests.

Damage to Fields and Harvests

Farmers report that standing paddy has been flattened and inundated, while produce already harvested is rotting in the wet conditions. Vegetable plots have also been harmed, and preparations for the upcoming winter planting are being delayed because saturated fields prevent tractors and other machinery from entering.

Pragyan Kumari, a scientist at Birsa Agriculture University, told The Times of India: "This is a period when paddy crops start ripening. They need bright sunlight for the seeds to become healthy. The rainfall would have an unfavorable impact on the process."

Economic and Food-Supply Consequences

Many farmers who expected a bumper yield now face substantial income losses as crops fail or deteriorate in standing water. In some cases, prolonged or repeated losses could force small farms to close and reduce agricultural employment in affected communities. Consumers may also feel the effects through localized shortages, higher retail prices, and strained supply chains.

Broader Drivers and Long-Term Risks

Experts note that the damage in Jharkhand echoes problems seen globally, where extreme weather events — including intense rainfall, hailstorms and floods — are becoming more frequent and severe. Many researchers link the rise in such destructive weather patterns to global warming driven by continued use of high-emission energy sources, which increases the risk of future crop failures and soil degradation.

Ways Farmers Can Adapt

Despite the immediate threats, technology and scientific advances offer tools to help farmers adapt and reduce future losses. Predictive analytics and improved weather forecasting can provide early warnings so farmers can protect fields and supplies. Plant-breeding and genetic research are producing crop varieties with greater resilience to flooding, drought and temperature swings. Autonomous and robotic systems can monitor plant health, assess soil moisture and nutrients, and support more precise field management.

The situation in Jharkhand highlights how acute weather events and broader climate trends combine to threaten harvests, livelihoods and food supplies — and it underscores the growing role of technology and policy responses in helping farmers prepare for and respond to these challenges.

How was your garden's harvest this year?