Hailstorm raises fears of crop damage in Sunamganj haors

Farmers in Sunamganj's haor areas are worried after two consecutive days of heavy hailstorms. Such weather during the Boro paddy season has heightened concerns about crop damage, spreading anxiety among farmers across the haor regions.

Hailstorms accompanied by squally winds began in various areas including Derai, Shalla, Jamalganj, Tahirpur and Sadar upazilas of the district from Saturday night through Sunday morning. Locals reported that paddy plants bent over in many places due to the intense hailstorm lasting several minutes.

According to the district agriculture department, about 10 lakh farmers have cultivated Boro paddy on 2,23,410 hectares across 137 haors in Sunamganj this season. The harvest was expected to begin in just about a month. The recent hailstorms have increased their anxiety.

Many farmers are now visiting their fields to assess the condition of their crops. They fear that continued hailstorms may break the paddy ears and cause plants to collapse, potentially reducing yields.

Mutalib Ulla, a farmer from Mrittapur village in Derai upazila, said, "We wait for this Boro paddy all year. We have cultivated with great effort. If the hailstorm continues, we will face major losses."

Shafiq Ahmed, a farmer from Kalipur village in Sunamganj Sadar upazila, said, "The paddy ears have started emerging. If storms or hailstorms occur at this time, the paddy falls to the ground, severely reducing yields. We are very worried."

Latif Mia, a farmer from Bor Ghagotia village in Jamalganj upazila, said, "I don't own any land; I cultivate by sharecropping. After the hailstorm last night and this morning, I'm worried about the yield."

Omar Faruk, Deputy Director of Sunamganj District Agriculture Extension Department, said hailstorms occurred in five upazilas of the district. However, no major damage to paddy has been reported yet. He said the situation is being monitored and farmers are being provided with necessary advice at the field level.