Unseasonal Hailstorms Wreak Havoc on Wheat Crops in Punjab and Haryana
In a devastating turn of events, unseasonal rain, hailstorms, and strong winds battered multiple regions across Punjab and Haryana on Tuesday. This severe weather has flattened standing wheat crops just days before the anticipated harvest, sparking widespread alarm among farmers who are already grappling with significant losses.
Widespread Damage Across Key Agricultural Zones
The most severe impacts were observed in southern and western Haryana, along with parts of Punjab's Malwa belt. Here, hail and high-velocity winds have inflicted substantial harm on ripening wheat and mustard crops. In Charkhi Dadri district, villages such as Palri, Kori Rupa, Kadma, Naurangabas, and Badhra experienced intense rainfall and hail, raising serious concerns about heavy losses to these vital crops.
Hailstorm activity was also reported from Hisar, Rewari, Bhiwani, and Mahendragarh districts. Meanwhile, moderate rain was recorded in Gurgaon, Faridabad, and Nuh. In Rohtak, strong winds and rain have flattened wheat crops in several villages, leaving farmers deeply anxious about potential yield and quality reductions.
Farmers Voice Despair Over Crop Losses
"We were expecting a good harvest this time, but the rain and winds have ruined everything," lamented Manjeet Kumar from Karontha village in Rohtak district. This sentiment is echoed across the affected areas, with farmers expressing frustration over the timing of the weather events.
In Punjab, hailstorms struck villages in Muktsar and Fazilka districts, including Kattianwali, Bodiwala Kharak Singh, Astala, Lakhewali, Gandhar, Alamwala, Arniwala, Fallukhera, and Balluana. Farmers noted that large-sized hailstones and strong winds hit at the worst possible moment, as the wheat crop was nearly ready for harvest.
"This happened at the worst possible time. The crop was expected to be ready for harvesting in a week, but now both quality and yield are likely to suffer," said Baljit Singh, a farmer from Bodiwala village in Muktsar.
Severe Impact in Rewari and Demands for Compensation
In Haryana's Rewari district, farmers reported severe damage to both wheat and mustard crops. Ranbir Yadav, a farmer from Bihari Pur village, described how hail and rain inundated fields, causing heavy losses. Others from Rasuli and Kosli claimed that large portions of their standing crops had been completely destroyed.
In response to this crisis, farmer groups, including representatives of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, have demanded immediate compensation of at least Rs 60,000 per acre for affected cultivators. They argue that such relief is essential to help farmers recover from these unexpected losses.
Government Response and Weather Warnings
Local authorities have begun to assess the damage. Rewari Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Meena stated that teams have been deployed to evaluate crop damage in the affected areas. He mentioned that patwaris and other concerned officials will conduct field surveys and submit reports to the government for necessary relief measures.
Similarly, Manish Nagpal, DC of Charkhi Dadri, confirmed reports of hailstorms from parts of the Badhra constituency and announced that assessment teams have been constituted to address the situation.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported isolated to scattered rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 30-50 kmph across Punjab and Haryana. They warned that this weather spell might not be over yet, adding to farmers' anxieties.
A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from April 2, with more rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected over Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh on April 3 and 4. This forecast raises fears of further crop damage, compounding the challenges faced by the agricultural community.
Political Event Briefly Interrupted
The adverse weather also briefly interrupted Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's rally in Tosham, Bhiwani, though the event continued despite the conditions. This incident highlights the widespread nature of the weather disruption across various activities in the region.
