On Friday, an abrupt spell of fierce winds, heavy downpours and hail battered the Moradabad division of Uttar Pradesh. The extreme weather claimed the life of a 53‑year‑old e‑rickshaw driver in Sambhal, halted traffic, knocked out power and left growers anxious about damage to their crops just before the rice harvest.

E‑Rickshaw Driver Killed in Sambhal

At about 1:30 p.m., a towering pakad tree fell across a road near Dharamshala Adda in the Asmoli police‑station jurisdiction. The massive trunk struck Bholu, a 53‑year‑old e‑rickshaw driver, killing him instantly. The fallen tree blocked the lane until a JCB crew arrived to clear the obstruction, allowing traffic to resume.

Hailstorm Devastates Bilaspur, Rampur

A severe hailstorm, accompanied by strong gusts and rain, swept across Bilaspur in Rampur district. Hailstones piled up on Nainital Road, giving the surface a white, snow‑like blanket. District Agriculture Officer Kuldeep Singh Rana warned that crop losses could reach 15 %‑20 % across the district, with Bilaspur bearing the brunt of the damage.

Rice Fields Flattened in Amroha

Winds estimated at roughly 30 km/h, followed by intense rain, toppled ripening rice paddies in several parts of Amroha district. Hail was also reported in Amroha town and the villages of Didauli, Naugawan Sadat and Kailsa. With the harvest imminent, farmers fear that lodged crops will lower grain quality, complicate harvesting and cut overall yields. They are urging authorities to conduct field inspections and provide compensation based on the eventual loss assessment.

Daytime Darkness and Power Outages in Moradabad

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

Other Crops Threatened

Beyond rice, the untimely weather endangers sugarcane, millets, early‑season potatoes and a range of green vegetables. Dr. Ravindra Kumar of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Thakurdwara reported significant damage to Basmati rice and cautioned that mature crops are prone to lodging when strong winds and rain strike close to harvest.

Temperature Drop After the Storm

The system ushered in cooler conditions. 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 Evaluate Agricultural Losses

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

Conclusion

The sudden storm across the Moradabad division caused a tragic death, disrupted power and traffic, and raised serious concerns for farmers in Rampur and Amroha. With rice crops nearing harvest, the combined impact of wind, rain and hail could be substantial. Authorities are moving quickly to assess the damage and determine appropriate compensation for the affected growers.