Simraungadh Bara - A wave of distress has washed over the farming community of Simraungadh, Bara, following a brutal and unexpected hailstorm that has decimated their maize, vegetable, and fruit crops. This fertile region, known as a vital pocket area for vegetable production, now bears the scars of nature's fury, with losses estimated in the millions of rupees.
The hailstorm struck with little warning late last Sunday night, particularly impacting Wards No. 1 and 7 of Simraungadh Municipality. For many farmers, it was a cruel blow delivered at the most critical time, just as their maize was reaching maturity and their vegetables and fruits were ripe for picking. The sight of their fields, once brimming with promise, now ravaged by ice, has understandably shaken the community.
In a compassionate response to the farmers' plight, the Chief District Officer of Bara, Basanta Adhikari, personally led a team to Simraungadh on Wednesday to assess the devastation firsthand. CDO Adhikari and his team from the District Administration Office walked through the damaged fields, listening intently to the stories of loss and hardship shared by the affected farmers.
Adding a glimmer of hope amidst the despair, CDO Adhikari shared that the local disaster management committee is diligently working to evaluate the extent of the crop damage. Furthermore, the Agriculture Knowledge Center, Bara, will be providing compensation forms to the farmers, and the District Administration Office has pledged to actively advocate for their rightful compensation with the Ministry of Agriculture.
The hailstorm has been particularly harsh on mango orchards, striking at a crucial time when the fruits were nearing their full size. One farmer poignantly described the extensive damage to mangoes and lychees, lamenting the significant impact this will have on their overall production. The sheer volume of hail has also wreaked havoc on vegetable farms, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
The assessment team also included the Chief of Bara District Police Office and Superintendent of Police, Santosh Tamang, local representatives, and the affected farmers themselves. This collective effort underscores the community's solidarity in the face of this natural disaster. The District Administration Office has offered a firm commitment to recommend compensation for the farmers' losses to the Ministry of Agriculture, offering a ray of hope for recovery in these challenging times.
