Hailstorm, rain damage rabi crops in Haryana

Deepender Deswal

Hisar, February 20

Hailstorm and rain, coupled with gusty winds, hit the rabi crops in Hisar, Fatehabad, Jind and some parts of Bhiwani district last night.

The district administration has started assessment of crop damage as initial reports indicated nominal losses to mustard crop. The lodging of wheat crop due to strong winds is likely to affect the production in the region.

According to reports, mustard crop in the region, which is at flowering stages, has suffered damage in some villages last night. A farmer activist, Dayanand Punia in Siwani area of Bhiwani district, said hail had caused massive damage in Leelas, Dhani Silanwali, Devsar, Sainiwas, Rupala, Dulkot villages etc. Subhash Bishnoi, a farmer, said the hailstorm and strong winds hit the mustard crop hard. The hail had also occurred in some parts of Fatehabad districts.

In Hisar district, District Revenue Officer Chetna Chaudhary said sporadic hailstorm had occurred in about 15 villages. “We have received reports of damage to wheat and mustard crops from Kabrel and Kanoh villages of the district. About 50% damage has been reported. In other hail-affected areas, it was about 10%,” she said.

The hailstorm and rain have also caused some damage to standing crops in Jind district as well. Farmers complained that the rain and strong winds flattened the wheat crop, which would adversely impact the average yield.

Punia said they would gather at the SDM’s office in Siwani subdivision tomorrow to demand special girdawari and a compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre to the affected farmers.

However, there were no reports of damage to crops in Karnal, Kaithal, Ambala and Yamunanagar districts.