On Friday, a sudden bout of strong winds, heavy rain and hail battered the Moradabad division of Uttar Pradesh. The weather upheaval claimed the life of a 53‑year‑old e‑rickshaw driver in Sambhal, disrupted traffic and electricity, and left farmers worried about crop damage just before the paddy harvest.

E‑Rickshaw Driver Killed in Sambhal

At around 1:30 p.m., a large pakad tree toppled onto a road near Dharamshala Adda in the Asmoli police‑station area. The falling trunk struck Bholu, a 53‑year‑old e‑rickshaw driver, resulting in his death. The wreckage blocked traffic until officials arrived with a JCB machine to clear the road, restoring movement shortly thereafter.

Hailstorm Ravages Bilaspur, Rampur

Intense hail accompanied by gusty winds and rain swept through Bilaspur in Rampur district. Hailstones accumulated on Nainital Road, giving the ground a white, snow‑like appearance. District Agriculture Officer Kuldeep Singh Rana warned that crop losses could range from 15 % to 20 % across the district, with the heaviest impact expected in Bilaspur where the hail was most severe.

Paddy Fields Flattened in Amroha

Strong winds, estimated at about 30 km/h, followed by heavy rain flattened ready‑to‑harvest paddy in several parts of Amroha district. Hail was also reported in Amroha city and the villages of Didauli, Naugawan Sadat and Kailsa. With the harvest season imminent, farmers fear that lodged crops will lower grain quality, complicate harvesting operations and cut overall yields. They have appealed for field inspections and compensation based on the eventual loss assessment.

Daytime Darkness and Power Outages in Moradabad

The storm darkened the skies in Moradabad on Friday afternoon, creating an unusually gloomy daytime. An hour of relentless rain left water pooling on roads and farmland, while downed electricity poles caused power cuts that lasted several hours in both urban and rural areas.

Other Crops at Risk

Beyond paddy, the unseasonal weather threatens sugarcane, millet, early‑season potatoes and various green vegetables. Dr. Ravindra Kumar of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Thakurdwara noted considerable damage to Basmati paddy, and warned that mature crops are prone to lodging when strong winds and rain hit close to harvest.

Temperature Drop After the Storm

The storm ushered in cooler weather. Friday’s maximum temperature fell to 28.6 °C, with a minimum of 23.5 °C, down from the previous day’s high of 31 °C and low of 22 °C.

Officials to Assess Agricultural Damage

Deputy Director of Agriculture Ravikant announced that teams of departmental officials and insurance representatives will conduct field surveys across the affected districts. The assessments will quantify crop losses and identify farmers eligible for relief measures.

Conclusion

The abrupt storm across the Moradabad division has caused a tragic fatality, disrupted power and traffic, and raised serious concerns for farmers in Rampur and Amroha. As paddy crops near harvest, the impact of wind, rain and hail could be significant. Authorities are moving swiftly to evaluate damage and determine appropriate compensation for affected growers.