A hailstorm that lasted for five days destroyed more than 20 million worth of vegetables, crops and fruits in various parts of Parbat district, said the District Agricultural Development Office.

 The places where the hailstorm razed vegetable and wheat farming include Phalebas Municipality-2, 3, 4, 8 and 9, Kushma Municipality, Modi, Mahashila, Paiyu, and Banskharka, Dhadring, Shalija, Lekhphanta and Nangliwang under Jaljala rural municipality.

The farmers have suffered a huge loss as a result. "I am wondering what to do, as vegetables and crops I have grown were destroyed in the disaster incurring me thousands of rupee losses," said an affected farmer.

Work was underway to collect losses, and initiatives would be taken soon to provide relief to the affected farmers, said senior agriculture development officer Basudev Regmi.

Respective local levels should act in this regard, as many of the affected farmers are yet to be incorporated in the agriculture insurance programme, he added. RSS