Kishoreganj: A severe hailstorm accompanied by thunder and lightning swept across different upazilas of the district on Tuesday, leaving widespread destruction.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, approximately 3,864 hectares of paddy fields have been damaged, with the worst impact reported in the haor regions.
The storm struck in two phases during the afternoon and again at night on March 24, affecting key haor upazilas such as Itna, Mithamoin, Ashtagram, and Nikli. Other areas including Sadar, Pakundia, Hossainpur, Katiadi, and Bhairab also experienced significant damage. In several locations, heavy accumulation of hailstones turned roads and farmland white.
Mithamoin upazila suffered the highest loss, with around 2,500 hectares of paddy fields damaged. Itna reported 986 hectares affected, followed by Ashtagram with 140 hectares, Nikli with 100 hectares, Pakundia with 120 hectares, Hossainpur with 10 hectares, Kuliarchar with 6 hectares, and Bhairab with 2 hectares of land. Field visits to Pakundia revealed that vegetable crops have also sustained notable damage.
DAE Deputy Director Dr. Sadiqur Rahman stated that the hailstorm caused the most severe damage to Boro paddy, particularly in the haor areas. He added that agricultural officials are currently advising affected farmers on recovery measures and that he plans to personally inspect the damaged regions. Meanwhile, the Nikli Meteorological Office recorded 19.3 mm of rainfall during the night, along with hail, according to local official Altaf Hossain.
Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the losses as farmers brace for the economic impact of the disaster.