15 October 2004	Friday	29 Shaban 1425

DERA GHAZI KHAN, Oct 14: Heavy rain followed by hailstorm on Wednesday night destroyed standing crops of cotton and rice on hundreds of thousands of acres in the district. At least 28 mauzas of the two tehsils were badly affected.

In Dera tehsil, the hailstorm played havoc with the standing crops in 13 mauzas - Thatha Gabolawn, Chak Pahi, Chit Sarkani, Basti Khosa, Qaimwala, Bandoani, Mamoori, Basti Jam, Noor Wahi, Kotla Wahi, Basti Fauja, Khanpur Shumali and Chak Masu. It also caused heavy by Baloch Sarlosses to private zoo established dar at Basti Jam.

Rain and hailstorm did heavy damage to the standing cotton crop in Taunsa Sharif's 15 mauzas - Mangrotha, Phukanwala, Kokowala, Mundrani, Chit Gaadi, Basti Buzdar, Kot Qaisrani, Jhoke Bodo, Sokar, Gaadi, Chit Bani, Gona, Damra, Mangla Bhuta and Habraind.

Meanwhile, the authorities concerned have sent initial report regarding heavy losses of the crops to the directorate of Agriculture, Lahore, to declare the areas calamity hit.