The severe water crisis and unrelenting drought in Maharashtra continue to claim the lives of farmers. In a tragic incident from Latur district, a 60-year-old farmer allegedly died by suicide due to mounting debt and total crop failure. What makes the situation even more alarming is that this is the second farmer suicide case reported in the district within just three days, raising serious concerns over the agrarian crisis.
Crop Failure and Mounting Debt Trap
According to reports, the incident took place in Palshi village of Renapur tehsil, where 60-year-old farmer Jivan Gavhane ended his life by hanging from a tree in his field on Tuesday night. The grief-stricken family revealed that due to a lack of adequate rainfall this season, their crops were completely ruined, plunging them into severe financial distress.
Family members stated that Gavhane was burdened with a debt of approximately Rs 1.90 lakh. This included about Rs 90,000 owed to a private bank and around Rs 1 lakh borrowed from a local moneylender. With the harvest failing, the pressure of repaying the loans pushed him into extreme despair.
Police Investigation and Administrative Concerns
Upon receiving information about the incident, local police rushed to the spot, recovered the body, and sent it for a post-mortem examination. Renapur police stated that they have registered the case and are conducting a thorough investigation from all possible angles. While the exact official reason is yet to be ascertained, initial findings point toward severe economic distress and crop loss.
This tragic event follows closely on the heels of another similar incident earlier this week in the Renapur area, where a 44-year-old farmer named Subhash Kurhade also died by suicide, with his family citing drought and crop damage as the primary triggers.
Severe Drought Across the State
These distressing incidents come at a time when nearly 80 percent of talukas in Maharashtra are grappling with severe drought conditions. The failure of monsoons and inadequate irrigation facilities have severely impacted farming families. The recurring tragedies have reignited concerns over the economic vulnerability of farmers and the urgent need for robust relief measures.
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National Desk, The Freelance
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