On Friday, a sudden surge of strong winds, heavy downpours and hailstones 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 electricity, and left cultivators fearing severe damage to their crops just before the paddy harvest.

E‑Rickshaw Operator Killed in Sambhal

Around 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 driver, causing fatal injuries. The wreckage blocked the thoroughfare until a JCB crew arrived to clear the debris, allowing traffic to resume.

Hailstorm Devastates Bilaspur, Rampur

A fierce hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds and rain swept across Bilaspur in Rampur district. Hail accumulated on Nainital Road, giving the surface a white, snow‑like blanket. District Agriculture Officer Kuldeep Singh Rana warned that crop losses could range from 15 % to 20 % district‑wide, with Bilaspur bearing the brunt of the damage.

Paddy Fields Flattened in Amroha

Winds estimated at roughly 30 km/h, followed by heavy rain, flattened nearly‑ripe paddy 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 lodged stalks will degrade grain quality, complicate harvesting and cut overall yields. They have appealed for field inspections and compensation based on the forthcoming loss assessment.

Day‑time Darkness and Power Outages in Moradabad

The storm turned the afternoon sky over Moradabad an unusual, gloomy gray. An hour of relentless rain left water pooling on roads and fields, while downed power lines caused outages that lasted several hours across both urban and rural zones.

Other Crops Under Threat

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

Temperature Dip After the Storm

The system ushered in cooler conditions. Friday’s high fell to 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 Survey Agricultural Losses

Deputy Director of Agriculture Ravikant announced that teams of departmental 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 abrupt storm across the Moradabad division resulted in a tragic death, disrupted power and traffic, and raised serious concerns for farmers 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.