Punjab: Hailstorm, rain & winds destroy wheat crop in Majitha area

By Manmeet Singh Gill

A heavy hailstorm accompanied by rain and high-velocity winds has caused widespread damage to standing crops across several villages in the Majitha area, leaving farmers distressed.

Farmers reported that crops such as wheat, peas, and maize have suffered extensive losses, with the worst-hit villages witnessing intense hailstorms. Residents said hailstones, some as large as gram seeds, lashed fields for a prolonged period, flattening crops and washing away grains.

Satinderpal Singh, a farmer from Harrian village, said his maize crop spread over 17 acres, along with tomato and wheat crops, has been severely damaged. “Most of the grains have been knocked off and washed away due to the hailstorm. The loss is unbearable,” he said.

Farmers also expressed resentment over the absence of officials from the Agriculture Department and the local administration.

Manpreet Singh from Idgah village questioned the government’s response, saying, “Whenever there is stubble burning, the entire government machinery reaches within minutes using satellite monitoring. Is there no system to assess the damage to our crops?”

Leaders of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) also raised concerns over the situation. KMSC general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said no government official has visited the affected areas so far. “Entire fields have been destroyed. In many places, crop loss is nearly 100 per cent,” he said.

The committee has demanded an immediate girdawari (crop loss assessment) and urged the government to provide compensation of Rs 70,000 per acre to affected farmers.

Farmer leader Rattan Singh Randhawa said that damage has been reported from multiple pockets of the district. “Vegetable crops and wheat, which are close to harvesting, have been badly hit,” he said.

With the weather department predicting more rain, showers, and strong winds on April 7 and 8, anxiety among farmers is rising. They fear that even light rainfall at this stage could further harm the nearly mature wheat crop.

Farmers said they are now hoping for clear weather in the coming days, as any further disturbance could worsen their already heavy losses.

This article has been republished from The Tribune.