Devastating Hailstorm in Malhargarh, Mandsaur: Fields Destroyed, Farmers Worried, Government Initiates Rapid Survey
Farmers in the Malhargarh area of Mandsaur district, Madhya Pradesh, faced increased difficulties on Sunday afternoon when the weather suddenly changed. A fierce storm, accompanied by heavy rain and hailstones, lashed the entire area. This natural calamity, which lasted for approximately 10 to 20 minutes, caused significant damage to the standing crops of local farmers. Jharda, Kachariya Dev, Kishangarh, Manasa Khurd, Harmala, Arnia Dev, Pamakheda, and more than a dozen surrounding villages were affected.
The hailstorm was so intense that in many villages, roads, rooftops, and fields were completely covered in a white blanket of hailstones. The hailstones were large, tearing the leaves of the crops, breaking the stalks, and in some places, completely destroying the crops. Farmers said that when the weather changed in the afternoon, people were taken by surprise. First, strong winds blew, then it started raining, and after that, hailstones began to fall. Many people recorded videos on their mobile phones, clearly showing the hailstones falling.
This region primarily cultivates Rabi crops. The wheat ears were nearing maturity, the mustard seeds were developing, and the opium crop was in the latex extraction stage. These three crops suffered the most damage from the hailstorm. The breaking of wheat ears and the shedding of grains are expected to lead to a significant reduction in yield. The mustard crop was also ruined as its tender plants could not withstand the hailstones. It proved even more devastating for the opium crop, as the hailstones damaged the pods, affecting the latex extraction process.
Local farmer Ramlal Patel said that his three acres of wheat crop were completely destroyed. "We work hard all year, irrigate the fields, and apply fertilizer, but an hour of hailstorm has ruined everything. If we don't receive compensation soon, it will be difficult for our family to survive." Similarly, Sushila Devi, a farmer from Kishangarh village, said that her mustard crop, which was standing in the field, has now been ruined. "The hailstones were so large that the plants broke. We women work in the fields, what will we do now?"
According to the district administration, about 15-20 villages have been affected. Farmers' organizations estimate that crops spread across hundreds of hectares have been damaged. If a proper survey is not conducted in time, farmers will not be able to benefit from the crop insurance scheme. Mandsaur district is known for its agricultural production. Opium cultivation is significant here, and wheat and mustard are also major crops. Such incidents directly impact farmers' income.
Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda took immediate notice of the matter. He instructed District Collector Aditi Garg to send a joint team of revenue, agriculture, and tehsil officials to the affected villages to conduct a rapid survey of crop damage. Devda assured the farmers not to worry, saying that the damage would be assessed and appropriate compensation and relief would be provided. The administration appealed to the farmers to preserve photos and videos of the damage in their fields to facilitate the survey.
District Collector Aditi Garg said that teams have been dispatched immediately. The crop cutting experiment method will be used for the survey. The process of providing compensation to the affected farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme) will be expedited. In addition, assistance may also be provided from the state government's disaster relief fund. In the last few years, similar hailstorm incidents have occurred in Mandsaur and surrounding districts, prompting the government to release relief packages.
According to agricultural experts, hailstorms at this time of year are very harmful to crops because the plants are in the final stages of ripening and have high moisture content. Hailstones damage the leaves and stems, causing the plants to dry out. The opium crop is particularly vulnerable because its pods are delicate. Experts advise farmers to keep an eye on weather forecasts in the future and take measures to cover their crops, although this is difficult over large areas.
This incident has caused concern among farmers throughout the region. Many farmers are now waiting for government assistance. The administration says that the compensation amount will be determined after the survey report is received and will be distributed as soon as possible. In addition, if needed, the agriculture department may provide subsidies on seeds and fertilizers to help farmers prepare for the next crop.
Agriculture is the main source of income in Mandsaur district. The farmers here are hardworking and have been cultivating their land despite facing adverse weather conditions. Such disasters weaken them financially. It is hoped that the government's swift action will provide some relief to the farmers and enable them to resume farming. The administration is continuously monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with the affected families.
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