CM orders crop loss survey after storm, hail batter state

Patna: Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Friday directed the agriculture and disaster management departments to carry out an immediate assessment of crop losses and damage to fruits on trees after sudden storm, rain and hail battered several districts. In a post on X, Choudhary said the survey would help the govt determine the extent of losses and ensure adequate relief reaches affected farmers.

Unseasonable pre-monsoon weather has already inflicted widespread damage across the state’s farmlands, with standing crops affected over more than 2.06 lakh hectares. Between 12 and 19 districts are reported to be heavily impacted, with North Bihar and the Seemanchal belt among the worst hit.

A succession of volatile weather systems has disrupted normal life and farming operations in districts, including Muzaffarpur, Katihar, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, Khagaria, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Supaul, Vaishali, Bhagalpur and East Champaran. High-velocity winds, touching around 60 kmph in places, combined with intense rainfall and hail, have flattened mature crops that were close to harvest.

The damage comes at a critical moment for Bihar’s agrarian economy. More than 90% of the summer maize crop was reportedly harvest-ready, but waterlogged fields have left cobs and grains vulnerable to rot. Farmers say the blow has been compounded by falling market prices, reducing the returns they might have salvaged. Growers of cash crops such as green gram (garma moong) are also reporting near-total losses.

Bihar’s fruit sector has also taken a severe hit. Muzaffarpur’s GI-tagged litchi orchards have seen heavy fruit drop and deterioration in quality, with farmers estimating losses of up to 70%. Mango growers in Darbhanga and nearby districts report that violent squalls knocked off young fruits and blossoms, cutting expected yields by an estimated 60% to 70%.

Farmers across affected districts say they are facing acute financial distress. “The rains and strong winds destroyed everything right before we could secure the harvest,” said Naresh Mandal, a maize farmer from Araria. “We are left completely helpless as market prices are crashing simultaneously,” he said.