SWABI: The hailstorm accompanied by torrential rain lashed the district on Friday night, damaging standing crops and completely changing the weather.

The farmers said that it was the first time that the hailstones fell across the district. In the past it usually lashed a particular region, they added.

Liaqat Yousafzai, central president of Tobacco Growers Association Pakistan, said that farmers were already in hot water and the falling of the hailstones further pushed them into deep financial trouble.

The farmers said that standing crops of maize, sugarcane and vegetables were badly damaged by the hailstorm. They demanded of the government to provide financial assistance to them.

Khalid Khan, district president of Kisan Board, said that the problem of the growers was that the government failed to help them even in the calamity situation.

However, the hailstones and rainfall completely changed the weather.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2021