Unseasonal hail and rain damage crops across Nepal
Sudden hailstorms and heavy rain across Nepal have damaged ripening paddy crops, leaving farmers in eastern districts concerned about their harvest.
Farmers across several districts in Nepal are reporting significant damage to ripening paddy crops following sudden, heavy rainfall and hailstorms that swept through parts of the country on Wednesday, November 11. The unseasonal weather, which disrupted festivities for many observing Bhai Tika, has left agricultural communities concerned about the impact on their harvest.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Kathmandu recorded 31.2 millimeters of rainfall during the event. BBC News Nepali reported that weather experts attributed the sudden downpour to the interaction between cooling westerly winds in the upper atmosphere and local moisture-laden air. While westerly winds typically become active in Nepal starting in December, meteorologists noted that the current system is transient and expected to weaken rapidly.
Agricultural impact
The impact on agriculture has been particularly severe in eastern districts. In Sankhuwasabha, farmers reported that the combination of wind and hail flattened mature paddy and millet crops. Gorkhapatra reported that local residents in Khadbari Municipality described the damage as total in some areas, with one farmer noting that fields expected to yield significant harvests were decimated. The district's Agriculture Knowledge Centre stated that while reports of damage have been received, a formal assessment will commence once the Tihar public holidays conclude.
Similar concerns were raised in Bhojpur and Ilam. Onlinekhabar reported that farmers in Bhojpur are worried about potential recurring storms, which could lead to further loss of grain that has already been harvested and left to dry in fields. In Ilam, Nepal Views reported that while the hail provided some relief to cardamom crops, it caused notable harm to paddy that was ready for collection, leaving many farmers feeling discouraged after a season of hard work.
Outlook for recovery
Despite the immediate damage, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has provided a more optimistic outlook for the coming days. Meteorologist Sanjeev Adhikari indicated that weather conditions are expected to improve starting Thursday, November 12. Officials have stated that the system is not indicative of a prolonged rainy period, and conditions should become favorable for farmers to resume harvesting their crops shortly. While the recent weather event was intense, experts maintain that it was a localized and temporary atmospheric phenomenon rather than a sign of sustained seasonal change.