Hailstorm forces Baitadi farmers to re-sow maize amid growing uncertainty

Baitadi: Farmers in Melauli Municipality, Shivnath Rural Municipality, and Pancheshwor Rural Municipality of Baitadi have been facing difficulties following a hailstorm that struck last week. Initial reports indicate that Melauli Municipality suffered the most damage among the three local levels.

The sudden hailstorm completely destroyed newly sprouted maize plants while fields were being cleared. Farmers who were preparing to harvest maize have been compelled to plough their land again and sow seeds for the second time. Some farmers are also experiencing a shortage of seeds for re-sowing.

Karan Bhatta, a farmer from Melauli Municipality, said that the hailstorm wiped out maize crops that had already developed four ears. “The hailstorm has covered the fields with snow, not a single corn plant is left,” he said. “Earlier, we used bullocks and tractors to plow and sow, but now we have to dig and sow by hand, hoping that the old plants will sprout new shoots.”

Farmers report that the hailstorm has compacted the soil, which is likely to reduce production this year. There are concerns that repeated cultivation will increase costs and delay timelines, directly affecting maize and vegetable production.

Following the damage, the District Administration Office has requested the concerned local levels to provide detailed reports. Municipalities have only recently begun collecting damage data. However, the likelihood of farmers receiving relief appears low.

Melauli Municipality Mayor Bhim Bahadur Chand stated that compensation is only available for damage caused by roofs of houses and schools being blown off, and there is no legal provision for providing relief for crop damage caused by hailstorms. “We will send the collected details to the District Administration Office,” he said. “If any relief is provided by higher authorities, it will be distributed accordingly.”

The uncertainty surrounding relief support has further added to the concerns of farmers affected by the hailstorm.