On Friday, an abrupt surge of gale‑force 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, snarled traffic, knocked out electricity and left cultivators fearing serious damage to their soon‑to‑be harvested paddy fields.

E‑Rickshaw Driver Killed in Sambhal

At approximately 1:30 p.m., a towering 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, resulting in his immediate death. The wreckage blocked the lane until a JCB crew arrived to remove the debris and restore traffic flow.

Hailstorm Devastates Bilaspur, Rampur

A fierce hailstorm, accompanied by gusty winds and rain, swept through 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 range between 15 % and 20 % district‑wide, with Bilaspur bearing the brunt of the damage.

Paddy Fields Flattened in Amroha

Winds estimated at around 30 km/h, followed by heavy showers, flattened ripening paddy across 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 crops will diminish grain quality, complicate harvesting operations and cut overall yields. They have appealed for field inspections and compensation based on the eventual loss assessment.

Day‑time Darkness and Power Outages in Moradabad

The storm turned the afternoon sky over Moradabad an eerie shade of gray, creating an almost nocturnal daylight. An hour of unrelenting rain left water pooling on roads and fields, while toppled power poles caused outages that persisted for several hours in both urban and rural zones.

Other Crops Under Threat

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

Temperature Dip After the Storm

The tempest 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.

Authorities to Survey Agricultural Losses

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

Conclusion

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