In response to severe weather conditions that battered the state, Bihar's Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav has issued urgent directives for a comprehensive survey of agricultural damage. The unexpected high-velocity winds, accompanied by intense rain and hailstorms, lashed multiple districts on Friday and Saturday, causing significant harm to standing rabi crops, winter maize, and fruit flowers.
Immediate Assessment and Compensation Plans
Minister Yadav has instructed the principal secretary, secretary, and director of the agriculture department, along with the horticulture wing director, to mobilize district magistrates and other local officials. The primary objective is to conduct a thorough assessment of the damage to ensure timely compensation can be disbursed to affected farmers.
The state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, expresses deep empathy for the plight of farmers who have suffered crop and other damages, Yadav stated. He emphasized that officials have been directed to provide all necessary assistance, noting that farmers hold a natural claim to the state's treasury during natural disasters. Compensation will be paid swiftly once the survey is completed, with other forms of aid also under evaluation.
Impact on Key Crops and Districts
The damaged standing crops include winter maize and rabi crops such as wheat and pulses, as well as the flowers of mango and litchi trees. Over the past two decades, winter maize has emerged as a major cash crop in eastern Bihar districts. However, this sector has faced recent challenges, including a dip in market prices last year due to reduced exports to Bangladesh and setbacks in maize-based ethanol plants within the state. The recent natural calamity has now dealt another severe blow to these crops.
While high winds, storms, rain, and hailstorms affected north Bihar districts from Champaran in the west to the Seemanchal region in the east, as many as 19 districts north of the river Ganga have been identified as the worst affected. In contrast, south Bihar districts experienced less severe damage, receiving only light rain during the period.
Districts Affected and Viral Response
Among the districts hit by the strong winds, rain, and hailstorms are Purnia, Katihar, Kishanganj, Araria, Begusarai, Samastipur, Madhubani, Darbhanga, and Muzaffarpur. The inclement weather conditions primarily impacted north Bihar districts over the two-day span.
Video clips showing farmers weeping at the sight of their flattened maize and wheat fields went viral starting Saturday and continued to circulate on Sunday. In response, JD(U) minister Leshi Singh, after viewing such clips from her assembly constituency Dhamdaha, contacted Agriculture Minister Yadav to request immediate assistance for the affected farmers.
The state's proactive measures aim to mitigate the financial and emotional distress faced by the agricultural community, ensuring that support reaches those in need without delay.
