Widespread hailstorm damages rabi crops in region

Hailstorm wreaked havoc in several villages of Fatehabad, Hisar, Bhiwani and Jind districts today, causing significant damage to rabi crops, especially wheat and mustard.

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The worst-affected, Fatehabad district witnessed hailstorm at Dhangar, Bigar, Saalamkheda, Badopal, Mohammadpur Rohi, Bhirdana, Bisla, Barsin Majra, Dhani Majra, Jhalania, and Jandli Khurd villages.

The hailstorm followed a spell of rain in the region, which initially gave farmers hope for a good harvest, but the simultaneous occurrence of hail damaged the crops.

Jogender Talu, state president of the Gram Swaraj Kisan Morcha, demanded immediate relief from the state government to compensate the farmers. He urged the government to conduct a girdawari to assess the extent of damage and ensure timely compensation.

In Hisar, hailstorm has been reported in about 15 villages at Adampur and Narnaund regions of the district. The district recorded 12 mm rainfall by noon, though more rain occurred in the afternoon.

An agriculture expert from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Dr OP Bishnoi, said though mustard crop had suffered some damage, wheat crop was unlikely to suffer much loss. “The rain, though, is good for the crop,” he said.

Adampur MLA Chander Prakash also expressed concern over the hailstorm, stating that it seemed to have caused widespread damage in fields. He asked the government to immediately carry out the girdawari and compensate the farmers. He said the BJP government should prioritise the welfare of farmers and take necessary steps to address their grievances.

However, despite the hail affecting crops, experts stated that the rain had provided much-needed moisture, especially for rabi crops like wheat, mustard and gram. Dr Devi Lal, an agricultural scientist at Bhiwani Krishi Vigyan Kendra, explained that the rain would help reduce the temperature difference between day and night, aiding the growth of those crops. He said the rain had sufficiently irrigated the crops, saving farmers the cost and effort of irrigation in January.

While the immediate aftermath of the hailstorm has left the farmers in distress, the long-term benefits of the rain, including better crop growth and reduced irrigation costs, may provide some relief, he added.