On Friday, a sudden surge of strong winds, heavy rain 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, halted traffic, knocked out electricity and left farmers anxious about damage to their soon‑to‑be harvested paddy.

E‑Rickshaw Driver Killed in Sambhal

At about 13:30, a towering pakad tree snapped and fell across a road near Dharamshala Adda in the Asmoli police‑station jurisdiction. The trunk struck Bholu, a 53‑year‑old e‑rickshaw operator, killing him instantly. The fallen tree blocked the lane until a JCB cleared the debris, allowing traffic to resume.

Hailstorm Devastates Bilaspur, Rampur

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

Paddy Crops Flattened in Amroha

Winds estimated at roughly 30 km/h followed by heavy downpours flattened ready‑to‑harvest paddy in several parts of Amroha district. Hail was also reported in Amroha city and the villages of Didauli, Naugawan Sadat and Kailsa. With the harvest imminent, farmers fear lodged stalks will lower grain quality, complicate threshing and cut overall yields. They have appealed for field inspections and compensation based on the eventual loss assessment.

Daytime Darkness and Blackouts in Moradabad

The storm turned the afternoon sky over Moradabad an unusual, gloomy gray, creating a near‑nighttime darkness. Prolonged rain left water pooling on roads and fields, while downed power poles caused outages that lasted several hours in both urban and rural areas.

Other Crops Also Threatened

Beyond paddy, the untimely weather endangers 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.

Cooler Temperatures Follow the Storm

The system ushered in a noticeable dip in temperature. Friday’s maximum fell to 28.6 °C with a minimum of 23.5 °C, down from the previous day’s 31 °C high and 22 °C low.

Authorities to Survey Agricultural Losses

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

Final Thoughts

The abrupt storm across the Moradabad division has caused a tragic fatality, disrupted power and traffic, and raised serious concerns for farmers in Rampur and Amroha. As paddy crops near harvest, the combined impact of wind, rain and hail could be substantial. Authorities are moving quickly to evaluate damage and determine appropriate compensation for the affected growers.