Hailstorms batter northern districts, destroy crops in over 100 villages

Three consecutive days of storms and hailstorms have caused widespread devastation across Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Rangpur, damaging crops and homes in at least 110 villages across 10 upazilas and leaving thousands of farmers in distress.

In Lalmonirhat alone, around 2,000 vegetable seed farmers across 30 villages have been hit hard, with many fearing their production could drop by half this season. Seed fields of bitter gourd, chilli, tomato, bottle gourd, okra, brinjal and beans, cultivated under contracts with companies, have suffered extensive damage, particularly from Friday night’s hailstorm.

“About 40 percent of the plants in my fields have been destroyed. Production may drop to half this year,” said farmer Atul Chandra Roy, estimating losses of Tk 200,000.

Another farmer, Narayan Chandra Roy, reported similar devastation, saying, “I will get less than half the yield this year. I have suffered a loss of about Tk 300,000.”

Khoimuddin Mia, a farmer from Chapartal area, said that almost all types of crops in their village have been damaged by the hailstorm, but vegetable seed fields have suffered the most. “This is an irreparable loss for us,” he added.

Farmers said seed collection, expected within weeks, is now uncertain, as many plants have been broken or flattened. Many are trying to salvage remaining crops using protective nets.

Shaykhul Arifin, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Lalmonirhat, said work is underway to determine the extent of the damage caused by the hailstorm.

The disaster also severely affected maize, wheat and other crops across the region. According to agricultural officers, hailstorms at the critical cob-forming stage of maize could significantly reduce yields. “Compared to paddy, maize, wheat and vegetables have been more severely affected,” said Sirajul Islam, an official of the Department of Agricultural Extension.

Beyond crops, the storms wreaked havoc on rural homes. Hundreds of tin-roofed houses were damaged or destroyed, leaving many families homeless. “My tin-shed house collapsed. My family and I are now living under the open sky,” said day labourer Mamtaz Ali of Kurigram.

Local representatives said damage assessments are ongoing, with lists of affected families being prepared. “Corrugated iron sheets and government relief assistance will be provided,” said Abdul Matin, district relief and rehabilitation officer of Kurigram.

Shamsul Islam, 60, a farmer from the Burirhat area of the same upazila, said, “Three of my houses have collapsed. Most of the maize on my ten bighas of land has been destroyed by hail.”

Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan said, “Hailstorms have punctured the tin roofs of many houses, and storms have caused houses to collapse. Crops have also been damaged. Government assistance will be provided for rebuilding houses.”