another fire in Gudal on Wednesday night (Nov 11) destroyed around 150 acres of sugarcane, leaving farmers worried about their livelihoods While nearly 125 acres of sugarcane were reduced to ashes in Nilpan on Tuesday (Nov10). Two separate fires triggered by suspected short circuits in electricity lines destroyed large stretches of sugarcane fields in Nilpan village of Bhudargad taluka and Gudal village of Radhanagari taluka during the Diwali festival, causing losses worth lakhs of rupees to several farmers.
another fire in Gudal on Wednesday night destroyed around 150 acres of sugar cane, leaving farmers worried about their livelihoods While nearly 125 acres of sugar cane were reduced to ashes in Nilpan on Tuesday. Huge flames and thick smoke engulfed the area as the fire spread from the outskirts of Nilpan towards the boundary of neighbouring Darwad village, destroying standing sugar cane crops across nearly 125 acres. Around 150 acres of sugar cane were destroyed, causing losses worth lakhs of rupees to the affected farmers.
The fire in Nilpan broke out around 11 am on Tuesday in Mhasobacha Mal area due to a short circuit. Initially confined to a small patch, the fire spread rapidly due to strong winds and assumed a severe form by around 2.30 pm. Firefighters struggled to contain the blaze at Bidri Cooperative Sugar Factory due to strong winds and absence of a proper road leading to the affected fields. The fire spread rapidly due to daytime heat, prompting farmers to seek assistance of fire brigades.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported. After strenuous efforts, the fire was finally brought under control. Nilpan has witnessed a series of similar incidents over the past two years, raising concern among sugar cane farmers. Following the incident, Talathi Varsha Rani Gurav visited the affected fields and inspected the damage. The fire was reportedly triggered by a short circuit in MSEDCL ’s electricity lines. Firefighters from Bhogawati and Dudhganga cooperative sugar factories rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. Deccan Mineral Water company assisted in the operation by supplying water to fire brigade tankers. Bhogawati factory director and former Gudal sarpanch Abhijit Patil visited the spot to inspect the damage. He blamed negligence on the part of MSEDCL for the short circuit that reportedly triggered the fire.
In the second incident, a fire broke out in Tasari farm area of Gudal village in Radhanagari taluka around noon on Wednesday.