On Friday, an abrupt spell of high‑speed 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, crippled traffic, knocked out electricity and left agriculturalists fearing severe damage just before the rice harvest.

E‑Rickshaw Driver Killed in Sambhal

At approximately 1:30 p.m., a massive pakad tree collapsed onto a road near Dharamshala Adda in the Asmoli police‑station jurisdiction. The falling trunk struck Bholu, a 53‑year‑old e‑rickshaw operator, causing fatal injuries. The wreckage blocked the lane until a JCB crew arrived to clear the debris, allowing traffic to resume.

Hailstorm Devastates Bilaspur, Rampur

In Rampur district, a fierce hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds and rain swept across Bilaspur. The hail accumulated 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 % district‑wide, with Bilaspur bearing the brunt of the damage.

Paddy Fields Flattened in Amroha

Strong winds, estimated at about 30 km/h, followed by a deluge, flattened nearly mature paddy in several parts of Amroha district. Hail was also reported in Amroha town and the villages of Didauli, Naugawan Sadat and Kailsa. With harvest imminent, farmers fear that lodged stalks will lower grain quality, complicate harvesting and cut overall yields. They are urging officials to conduct field inspections and provide compensation based on the eventual loss assessment.

Daytime Darkness and Power Outages in Moradabad

The storm turned the afternoon sky over Moradabad an unnaturally dark shade, creating a gloomy daylight. An hour of relentless rain left water pooling on roads and fields, while downed power lines caused outages that lasted several hours in both urban and rural zones.

Other Crops at Risk

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

Temperature Drop After the Storm

Following the storm, temperatures fell noticeably. The day’s high reached 28.6 °C with a low of 23.5 °C, down from the previous day’s 31 °C high and 22 °C low.

Officials to Assess Agricultural Damage

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

Conclusion

The sudden storm across the Moradabad division has resulted in a tragic death, disrupted electricity and traffic, and raised serious concerns for farmers in Rampur and Amroha. As rice crops near harvest, the combined impact of wind, rain and hail could be significant. Authorities are moving quickly to evaluate damage and determine appropriate compensation for affected growers.