Farmers in Haryana are facing a major setback after a spell of rain and hailstorm damaged crops across several districts. Light to moderate rainfall, combined with gusty winds and hail, caused significant harm to gram, mustard, potato, and other vegetable crops. Farmers expressed anxiety over potential financial losses, as many crops were ready for harvest or nearing maturity.
Agricultural officials said they are collecting information on the affected areas and plan to visit farms soon to assess the damage. The hailstorm affected multiple districts, including Yamunanagar, Ambala, Panipat, Kaithal, Bhiwani, Mahendergarh, Hisar, Charkhi Dadri, Rohtak, Jind, and Fatehabad. While mustard and vegetable crops were hit hard, barley and wheat seedlings largely escaped serious damage because they were still young and could recover.
Farmers shared grim reports from their fields. Amit Kumar, from Kusumbhi village in Bhiwani’s Tosham area, said that his mustard crop, sown on nine acres, was nearly ready for harvesting by the end of February. “More than 90% of the plants are destroyed due to the rain and hail,” he said. Similarly, Rohtash Yadav of Neerpur village in Mahendergarh said the hail created conditions like snowfall and caused losses of around ₹65,000 per acre. He urged the government to begin e-girdawari and provide compensation, noting that chickpea crops were also affected.
Tejpal Singh from Bilaspur in Yamunanagar reported that hail had covered roads and fields, raising the risk of waterlogging for wheat, mustard, and other crops. Bhiwani Congress (Rural) president Anirudh Choudhry also demanded government compensation for the affected farmers, highlighting the destruction of their potential earnings.
Agricultural officials said they are compiling reports from the affected areas and will inspect farms to verify the losses and help farmers claim support.
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Experts noted that mustard was the hardest hit because the crop was nearing maturity and seeds were already sprouting. OP Bishnoi, a wheat scientist at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar, explained that young wheat crops suffered less because they were sown later and could recover from the weather.
Ratan Tiwari, director of the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR), said that while mustard and vegetables faced heavy losses, the cold and rainfall could benefit winter-loving crops like wheat. “The rain followed by a cold wave provides moisture, which will reduce the need for irrigation and may help the wheat crop,” he added.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall measurements between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm showed that Jind recorded the highest rainfall at 15.5 mm, followed by Ambala at 9 mm, Panipat at 7.5 mm, Palwal and Bhiwani at 4 mm each, and Gurgaon at 3 mm.
With several districts affected, farmers are demanding immediate government intervention. Officials have said that damage assessment teams will visit the farms to evaluate losses. The process of e-girdawari, or digital crop assessment, may be used to document damages and provide timely compensation.
Farmers are hoping for fast action, as many vegetable and mustard crops were nearing harvest. Delays in support could worsen their financial strain, especially for small and marginal farmers who rely heavily on these crops for income.
While the hail and rain caused immediate losses, agricultural experts believe that wheat and barley may benefit from the recent weather. Young winter crops may gain moisture from the rain, and the extended cold period after snowfall in nearby hills could support growth. Farmers are advised to monitor fields for waterlogging and potential damage to seedlings and take protective measures where possible.
The IMD has also warned of continued gusty winds in some areas, advising farmers and residents to be cautious. Local authorities are coordinating with agricultural departments to provide guidance and relief measures to the affected farming communities.
The recent hailstorm and rainfall have created a challenging situation for Haryana farmers, especially those growing mustard, potatoes, and other vegetables. While some crops like wheat may benefit, the immediate losses are causing distress and concern. Farmers and authorities are now working together to assess the full scale of the damage and ensure that compensation and support reach those affected.
This event highlights the vulnerability of crops to sudden weather changes and the need for timely government intervention to protect farmers’ livelihoods.
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