Khotang, November 5

Paddy worth more than Rs 110 million is estimated to have been damaged in a downpour accompanied by hailstorm two weeks ago in Khotang.

According to the preliminary statistics of district agriculture development office, the heavy rainfall with hailstorm of October 23 damaged paddy crops worth Rs 110 million. “However, the loss is likely to increase as we are yet to confirm the total damage,” said senior agriculture development officer Shyam Prasad Ghimire.

The disaster ruined the crops planted in more than 100 hector land at Dorpa Chiuridanda, Nerpa, Patheka, Kharmi, Diktel, Ratanchha, Nirmalidanda, Hauchur and Jalpal, among other VDCs, of the district.

The crops at Dorpa Chiuridanda, Nerpa, Patheka and Kharmi VDCs were almost ready to harvest.

Paddy worth around Rs 39 million was damaged in these four VDCs alone.

According to the field technicians’ report, at least 40 to 90 per cent paddy has been destroyed in the affected areas. “Farmers are concerned about possible famine as a large amount of their major crops got damaged in the disaster,” lamented Krishna Prasad Bastola, Chairperson of Shikhar Janautthan Krishak Samuha. He said the calamity damaged paddy, millet, bitter guard, green vegetable and carrot, among other crops, in the district.

Peasants of as many as 59 households of Nerpa demanded relief at district administration office and district agriculture development office on October 30 as most of their paddy and other crops were destroyed.