A severe hailstorm caused significant damage in the Nilakh Tarani Pather region of Dhemaji district, Assam, on February 24, 2025. The storm left farmers devastated as their crops were destroyed. The unexpected weather event brought heavy rain and strong winds, flattening watermelon and king chili (Bhoot Jolokia) crops across 30 bighas of land.
Farmers in the area were hoping for a prosperous harvest this season, but the violent storm shattered their expectations, plunging them into deep financial distress.
The storm caused nearly total devastation to the crops, leaving farmers with nothing to harvest. According to local sources, watermelons were cultivated on 16 bighas of land, while the remaining 14 bighas were dedicated to king chili. These crops were at a critical stage of growth, resulting in an estimated monetary loss of around Rs 12.5 lakh, as the produce was expected to fetch good prices in the market.
The affected farmers—Nitul Sakai, Dilip Bhorolua, Premdhar Baruah, Tapoka Munda, Bhovan Haloi, Raju Bhajani, Anita, Bhakteshwar Sonwal, and Pinku Baruah—had heavily invested in seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems, often borrowing money from local shops, friends, and relatives. This sudden disaster has left them struggling to determine how to repay their debts.
Following the calamity, the Area Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) visited the affected fields to assess the extent of the damage. He assured the farmers that their names would be recommended for compensation under government schemes.
However, he could not promise full reimbursement but pledged to advocate for the highest possible relief to help the farmers recover from the loss. Despite this assurance, farmers remain anxious due to previous experiences of delayed compensation payments. They have urged the state government to expedite the relief process and provide immediate financial aid to prevent further hardship.
Local farmer organizations and community leaders have also appealed to the state government for a thorough damage assessment and timely compensation. They have highlighted the need for long-term crop insurance policies to protect farmers from similar natural disasters in the future.
