Rain, hailstorm damage paddy

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 11

The ready-for-harvest paddy crop in many pockets of the district suffered extensive damages due to the unexpected rain and hailstorm early morning on Thursday. The maximum damage was inflicted on basmati (1509) variety which was ready for harvest. In some areas, 80 per cent crop damage was reported.

The hailstorm also caused damage to the late sown 1121 (basmati) variety which is still at pollination stage. Even the PUSA rice varieties have suffered damages. Grains washed away from panicles were seen lying on the ground.

A farmer, Jaspal Singh, from Gumtala said, “Around 25 to 30 per cent of the grain has been damaged. The loss of 1509 variety is around 50 per cent. The hailstorm was such intense that it even split apart leaves of big trees.”

Farmers said it rained heavily for almost two hours and the ground was completely covered with hails. Another farmer, Gurdeep Singh, from Malawali village said, “We would have harvested the 1509 variety but as it had a considerable moisture content due to the previous rain, we were waiting for it to dry. As waterlogged fields will not be harvestable for the next few days, more grain will fall down due to over-ripening.”

A farmer, advocate Kuljit Singh Malawali, said he had filed an application with the deputy commissioner regarding compensation for the crop loss. He said farmers had suffered extensive damages due to the hailstorm.

Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Dalbir Singh Chhina said, “In several areas, the crop suffered damages ranging between 20 and 80 per cent. We have sent a report to the DC and Director, Agriculture. The hailstorm has been reported from every part of the district.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kamaldeep Singh Sangha has also directed the revenue officials to assess the crop loss and conduct ‘girdawari’. He said that a report was sent to the state authorities.