Rain accompanied by hail storm and high velocity winds that lashed the entire state over the past 24 hours have caused large-scale damage to ripe wheat crop in the lower belt of Himachal Pradesh.

But in the areas over 5,000 feet, upper Shimla, Kullu and Mandi, the rain has brought relief for farmers. In these areas the crops, mainly those raised on non-irrigated land, had suffered damage due to drought-like conditions in January and February. Rains will improve the prospects of a better crop in these areas, as the moisture will increase the size of the grain, say agriculture scientists.

Wheat is one of the major crops of rabi season in Himachal. Though no exact assessment reports of losses after the recent rain and hailstorm have been received, as per random reports coming to the Agriculture Department, the areas of Una district bordering Punjab, lower Sirmour and Solan, and some parts of Bilaspur have suffered heavy damage of wheat crop due to flattening.

This has come as a major jolt to farmers, who had worked hard to ensure steady crop growth during winters, despite lack of sufficient rain.

The farmers are now a worried lot, with fears of crop damage just ahead of the harvest season.