A sudden and intense hailstorm on Tuesday night caused extensive damage to Boro rice fields across the haor regions of Kishoreganj, leaving thousands of farmers in Austagram, Itna, and Mithamain deeply worried. The storm, which began around 8 p.m. with strong winds and heavy rain, lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes and struck during a critical growth stage for the rice crop.

Farmers reported that the hail severely battered the rice plants, breaking stems and damaging the developing panicles, which could significantly reduce yields. Local farmer Nurul Islam Laldhon expressed sorrow, saying that hopes for a bumper harvest this year may be shattered by the untimely storm. The full extent of the damage will become clearer after field inspections.

Austagram Upazila Agriculture Officer Abhijit Sarkar said hail was reported in three unions of the upazila. He noted that officials would begin field visits early in the morning to assess the actual scale of the losses.