Crop Damage Worth Over 300 Million Rupees Reported in Jhapa

March 10, Surunga (Jhapa) – Repeated storms and hail accompanied by heavy rainfall from late February have devastated cultivated fields in Jhapa. This weather has severely affected staple and cash crops, including maize, vegetables, fruits, and even poultry farming. According to Sagar Bista, Chief of the Jhapa District Agriculture Knowledge Center, agricultural losses from the last week of February to the second week of March have reached approximately NPR 319,298,200. In addition, crops worth NPR 172,737,460 have been completely destroyed.

All 15 local levels in Jhapa have experienced damage, with maize fields sustaining the most significant impact. Farmers report that large hailstones accompanying the storms have crushed crops, resulting in severely diminished yields. Among the most affected areas is Bahradashi Rural Municipality, where nearly 75 percent of the maize crop has been destroyed. The municipality, which consists of seven wards, has seen damage across approximately 840 hectares of maize cultivation, Chief Bista informed.

Losses to maize alone have exceeded NPR 27,270,000, with partial damage totaling over NPR 75,570,000. Ward-wise data highlights the extent of the destruction: maize fields in Bahradashi-2 and 3 wards have been completely lost over significant areas, whereas other wards have experienced partial damage. Specifically, in Bahradashi-1, maize is grown on 439 hectares; 25 hectares suffered total loss and 33 hectares partial damage. In Bahradashi-2, out of 780 hectares under maize cultivation, 596 hectares were fully damaged and 57 partially affected. Bahradashi-3 saw 693 hectares under maize, with 519 hectares entirely lost and 50 hectares partially damaged. Bahradashi-4 has 547 hectares planted with maize; 269 hectares were destroyed completely and 133 hectares partially affected. Bahradashi-5’s 957 hectares experienced 167 hectares of full loss and 400 hectares partial damage. In Bahradashi-6, out of 653 hectares of maize, 20 hectares were fully lost and 67 hectares partially damaged. Lastly, Bahradashi-7 had 530 hectares of maize cultivation, with 33 hectares fully destroyed and 100 hectares partially impacted.

In addition to maize, vegetable crops have also suffered significant damage. Though cultivated over smaller plots in various wards, losses to vegetable farming directly affect farmers who depend on their daily income. Chief Bista stated that the combination of hail, storms, and rainfall has delivered a double blow to farmers. “Crops in flowering and tasseling stages were particularly vulnerable to hail damage,” he explained.

Local authorities are currently gathering preliminary data and have begun discussions on relief and rehabilitation measures.