On Friday, a sudden surge of strong 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 fearful of crop losses just before the paddy harvest.

E‑Rickshaw Driver Killed in Sambhal

At about 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, killing him instantly. The wreckage blocked the lane until a JCB arrived to clear the debris, allowing traffic to resume shortly after.

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 damage could reach 15‑20 % across the district, with Bilaspur bearing the brunt of the assault.

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 city and the villages of Didauli, Naugawan Sadat and Kailsa. With the harvest imminent, farmers fear lodged stalks will reduce grain quality, complicate harvesting and cut overall yields. They have appealed for field inspections and compensation based on the eventual loss assessment.

Daytime Darkness and Power Cuts in Moradabad

The storm turned the afternoon sky over Moradabad an unusual, gloomy gray, and an hour of relentless rain left water pooling on roads and fields. Downed electricity poles caused outages that lasted several hours in both urban and rural areas.

Other Crops at Risk

Beyond paddy, the untimely weather threatens sugarcane, millet, 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 prone to lodging when strong winds and rain strike close to harvest.

Temperature Drop After the Storm

The storm 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.

Officials to Assess Agricultural Damage

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

Conclusion

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. With paddy crops on the verge of harvest, the combined impact of wind, rain and hail could be severe. Authorities are moving quickly to evaluate damage and determine appropriate compensation for affected growers.