Nagpur: As the flames subsided in Dhamangaon village, the true extent of destruction began to emerge, entire lives, not just homes, reduced to rubble within minutes. For many villagers, years of hard work, savings, and security have vanished overnight, pushing them into deep uncertainty just weeks before the crucial sowing season.
“We are left with nothing except the clothes on our bodies. Our crops, savings, documents, food, everything has been destroyed. We don’t know how to rebuild. It feels like we have no future,” said a distraught farmer, echoing the despair gripping the village.
Gold Rate
May 04- 2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
The tragedy has struck at the worst possible time. With fields to be prepared and seeds to be sown, farmers now find themselves without stored produce or resources. “We had stocked our yearly ration just last month. There were 50 sacks of chana from our harvest and soybean seeds ready for sowing. All gone. Even our gold, savings, and our children’s documents have been lost. Where do we begin again?” another villager asked.
On Sunday, affected families moved between the burnt remains of their homes and the gram panchayat office, desperately seeking clarity on relief measures. While officials and public representatives visited the site, villagers said concrete support is yet to reach them, leaving them anxious and frustrated.
“I built my house over the years with my own hands. Now it is nothing but ashes. The sowing season starts next month—should we rebuild our homes or focus on farming?” questioned a farmer, highlighting the impossible choices ahead.
Eyewitnesses described how the fire spread with alarming speed, leaving little time to react. In a desperate bid to prevent further catastrophe, villagers risked their lives entering burning homes to remove LPG cylinders, while others rushed to untie livestock and move them to safety. Though many animals were saved, several suffered burns and some are still missing.
A woman who narrowly escaped said she was cooking when chaos erupted. “I heard screams and stepped outside to see houses engulfed in flames. We somehow managed to take out the gas cylinder and our two-wheeler, but everything else was lost,” she recalled.
Relief announced, but questions remain
Following the incident, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule visited the village and stressed the need for stricter legal measures to prevent such disasters, particularly calling for a law to curb stubble burning. He pointed out that while Central norms provide compensation for fire-related losses, similar provisions are lacking at the State level.
Announcing immediate relief, Bawankule said affected families would receive Rs 23,000 from the state government, along with a month’s supply of food grains and free sand for reconstruction. Additional financial support from the Koradi Mahalakshmi Jagdamba Sansthan has also been allocated, ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh depending on the extent of damage. Furthermore, Rs 2.5 lakh per family will be provided from mining funds to assist in rebuilding homes.
He added that a proposal for further aid under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund will be submitted shortly and placed before the Cabinet.
While authorities have stationed fire tenders at the taluka and Nagar Panchayat levels, concerns remain about the lack of trained personnel and infrastructure. Officials acknowledged that timely intervention by nearby municipal fire brigades helped prevent an even larger tragedy.
Efforts are now underway to mobilise CSR funds from industries in the MIDC area to supplement government assistance. Meanwhile, Bawankule has assured a follow-up visit within 15 days to review progress.
For the residents of Dhamangaon, however, relief announcements offer only limited comfort. With homes gone, livelihoods shattered, and the agricultural season looming, the road to recovery remains long and uncertain.
