Kathmandu May 8.

Unusual rain and hailstorm damaged several varieties of winter crops and vegetables in Darchula. Unexpected rainfall and hailstorm caused massive damages to fruit crops and cereal crops such as wheat and barley during the harvesting season. Darchula has witnessed torrential rainfall and hail for the past one and a half week. Dhansingh Sitoli of Naugad rural municipality-3 complained that hailstorm completely destroyed the crops. ”It largely damaged all vegetables and fruits as well.” As he said farmers are hunted by a fear of hunger. Ongoing coronavirus lockdown has largely posed the risk of a food crisis in the future and on the top of that, nature turns cruel for them during the crops picking season. ”They are even unable to collect standing crops,” said Prem Singh Karki of Apihimal. Naugad rural municipality-3 was hardest hit by the hailstorm occurred on Wednesday evening, according to Naugad Agriculture Section. The section’s preliminary estimate is that rain and hail has damaged crops planted in over 1,000 ropani of land on a vast scale. Naugad 3 and 2 are known as the pocket area for agricultural production in the district. Rural municipality chair Prem Singh Dhami said farmers were awaiting for harvesting the crops and their toil went in vain. ”The District Administration Office has sought the details of losses,” he said. Similarly, Nwalpani of Malikarjun rural municipality-1, Rapla of Byas ward-2 and Sina area of ward-3 were also hit by the rain. Meanwhile, federal parliament lawmaker Ganesh Singh Thagunna from Darchula drew the attention of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development towards losses farmers had to incur due to rain and hailstorm. As said by lawmaker’s private secretary Daulat Singh Thagunnna, the lawmaker briefed the Minister about the loss and urged for compensation to the victims. The Minister was also urged to implement a food support programme in the district.—