KATHMANDU: A hailstorm accompanied by rain in Nepal’s Kailali district on Saturday morning has caused significant damage to crops, particularly wheat and lentils.

The storm impacted several areas, including Kailari Rural Municipality, Bhajani Municipality, Tikapur Municipality, and Bardagoriya Rural Municipality, with farmers noting extensive losses.

Phool Raj Chaudhary, a farmer from Kailari Rural Municipality-7, said that lentils, which were nearing harvest, and wheat, close to maturation, were severely affected by the storm.

Bhojraj Dhungana from Tikapur Municipality-7 said the hailstorm lasted for about five minutes. While the overall damage to crops was limited, he warned that the wheat yield could decline due to damage at the critical flowering stage. “The hailstorm tore apart the white flowers, which could impact the final yield,” Dhungana explained.

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.