Shillong, Nov 9: Farmers in Eastern West Khasi Hills are in need of government help after a hailstorm on Sunday destroyed their paddy.
The storm affected fields in Maroid, Nongthymmai, Rikhen, Thangmaw, Mawkohmit, Mawsium, Langñiuh and other nearby areas.
Paddy, which was ready for harvesting, bore the brunt. Squash and vegetables were also extensively damaged, farmers said.
Farmers said fields that would normally yield six to nine bags of paddy have been flattened by hail. Many now fear they will get just one bag or even less.
“It is not just a loss of crop, it is a loss of our whole season’s work,” a farmer from the affected area told the media.
Farmers alleged that this is not the first time hailstorms have damaged their crops. In previous years too, they said, they had submitted photographs of the damage to the concerned authorities but received no assistance from the government.
They appealed to the government to treat the damage as a natural calamity and provide immediate support.
“This damage was not caused by us. It was caused by nature. The government should show concern,” the farmers said.
The farmers are now waiting to see whether this year’s damage assessment will lead to actual relief — or another year of losses without help.
