Akola records heaviest May rainfall in 132 years; 2 dead, crop damage across 3,000 hectares

Akola: In a historic and destructive weather event, Akola district received its heaviest-ever rainfall for the month of May in 132 years, with a single night's downpour breaking all past records. The sudden cloudburst late on Tuesday triggered large-scale damage across the district — claiming two lives, flattening 22 homes, and devastating more than 3,000 hectares of crops and orchards in 155 villages.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Akola received 140.7mm rainfall within 24 hours on Tuesday — the highest ever recorded for the month of May since weather records began in 1891. The previous record stood at 104.1mm, logged way back in May 1893. The deluge also shattered a more recent daily record of 66mm set just days earlier on May 22. Last year, the district had received a meagre 0.8mm rainfall in the entire month.The sudden shift from scorching heat to heavy pre-monsoon rain has added to the challenges for residents and farmers. Only weeks ago, Akola had recorded temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius on multiple occasions, making it one of the hottest places in the world in April.The rains, accompanied by high-speed winds of 30–40 km/h, caused widespread disruption. In one tragic incident, a 48-year-old daily wager, Rohit Sandalkar, died after falling into an open pit near Agrasen Chowk. Locals alleged that the pothole had been left unattended for years. Another death was reported from the Morna river area. Following the incidents, local MLA Sajid Khan Pathan blamed civic apathy and demanded compensation for the deceased's families and accountability from officials.The district also reported collapse of 22 homes, while numerous roads were blocked by uprooted trees. Emergency crews from the public works department were deployed to clear debris and restore connectivity. The IMD has warned of more showers today, prompting the district administration to remain on high alert.Preliminary crop damage assessments revealed losses to summer onion, banana, groundnut, maize, lemon and pulses across several talukas, including Akola, Patur, Balapur, Murtijapur and Akot. Many farmlands remain waterlogged, raising fears of long-term impact on productivity.Local leaders, including MLA Randhir Savarkar, MP Anup Dhotre, and others, visited the affected villages and urged officials to expedite relief measures and damage surveys. With more rain expected and memories of past unseasonal weather events still fresh, Akola continues to reel under the impact of a rare and damaging May deluge.