Sudden hailstorm destroys fields, damage houses in Atwari

A sudden 4–5-minute hailstorm in Atwari upazila of Panchagarh caused extensive damage, destroying ripe and semi-ripe crops in the fields and damaging many houses. On Friday (March 27), at around 10:30 pm, the sky was suddenly covered with black clouds. Shortly afterward, strong winds and a heavy hailstorm began.

According to locals, the hailstones were quite large and destroyed farmers’ crops within just a few minutes. During this time, tin roofs of houses in several areas, including Mirzapur, Toria, Dhamor, Aloakhoa, Radhanagar, and Balrampur unions of the upazila, were damaged.

A visit to different areas of the upazila revealed that vegetable fields—including chilli, corn, boro rice, wheat, and cucumber—suffered the most damage. Md. Khademul Islam, a farmer from Sukhati village, said that the disaster caused huge losses just before harvest.

Another affected farmer, Hossain Ali, said, “My dreams for the whole year have been shattered in just five minutes of hail. Now I am worried about how I will support my family. My chilli and corn fields have been completely destroyed—everything has been reduced to the soil.”

Additionally, microbus driver Alamgir Hossain said that the tin roof of his bedroom was damaged by the hail. Husneyara Begum, a widow from Nalpukhuri village, said that the tin roof of her mud house was damaged, and all her belongings were soaked by rainwater overnight.

Meanwhile, trees were uprooted in many places due to the storm and hail, and the power supply was temporarily disrupted. Mozaharul Islam of Sardarpara village said that the tin roofs of all four of his houses were damaged. “With no place to sleep at night, I had to spend the night in the cowshed with my wife and children,” he said.

Atwari Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Mostaq Ahmed said that work is underway to assess the extent of the damage and that the administration is being contacted to assist the affected people. “Our agricultural sub-assistants are in constant contact with farmers at the field level,” he added.

Atwari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ripamoni Devi said, “Some areas were inspected at night. A list of affected farmers will be prepared through the Upazila Agriculture Office, and necessary assistance will be provided.”