Unseasonal rain and hailstorms have destroyed paddy crop spread over 500 acres in Gaisa, Garemari Bhutala Khurd, Dhindsa, Bhutala Kalan, Rayedharana, Jalura, Rajalheri villages of the Moonak sub-division of the district.
Demanding an immediate girdawari (record of land cultivation) to assess damage to the crop, farmers blocked the Chandigarh-Hisar highway for several hours.
A farmer Sukhdev Sharma said, "The crop was damaged just as it was ready for harvest; now we are waiting for a helping hand from the government."
When contacted Moonak sub-divisional magistrate Kalaram Kansal said, "Damage to roughly 50% of the crop is estimated over 500 acres of standing paddy in four to five villages of the sub-division."
"To assess the actual damage, girdawari has been started by patwaris and the compensation will be provided after the report," Sharma added