Rain, hailstorm damage mustard, wheat crops

Yamunanagar, February 1

After a dry January, rain lashed Yamunanagar and Ambala districts today. Hailstorm was also reported from several parts of the districts.

As per data of the Agriculture Department, Yamunanagar, 32 mm rainfall was recorded in Jagadhri tehsil area from 8 am on January 31 to 8 am on February 1. About 11 mm rainfall was recorded in Chhachhrauli tehsil area, 8 mm in Bilaspur, 8 mm in Saraswati Nagar, 7 mm in Pratap Nagar, 4 mm in Radaur and 3 mm in Sadhaura tehsil area.

The rain continued throughout the day.

Sanju Gundiana, district president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, said hailstorm was reported from several areas of Sadhaura, Bilaspur and Chhachhrauli blocks of the district. “Hailstones damaged crops of mustard, potato and wheat. The government should conduct a survey and compensate affected farmers,” he added.

Congress leader Satpal Kaushik said the government should give Rs 50,000 as compensation to the farmers.

Meanwhile, rain accompanied by hailstorm has left mustard and wheat farmers worried in Ambala district, too. Hailstorm was reported at Sullar, Fatehgarh, Ghadoli, Karasan, Pathreri and other areas of Ambala.

Tejveer Singh, a farmer leader, said, “The hailstorm and heavy rain at this time will affect the crops. If the weather remains poor, it will cause heavy loss to the farmers.”

Deputy Director Agriculture Jaswinder Singh stated, “Heavy hailstorm has been reported, especially in some villages and nearby areas of Shahzadpur block. It may affect the mustard and wheat crops. The exact situation will become clear in a couple of days.”