Cuttack: In an absolute shock for farmers in Cuttack district, sudden hailstorm caused large scale crop damage in Banki area last night.
Hailstones, if almost gulf ball size, the weight of which went up to 300 grams hit the Banki Bazar area soon after heavy rainfall lashed the district leaving people in a state of panic and confining them into their houses and safer places, said a local.
While, standing crops including vegetables got completely damaged in Banki area, at a few places asbestos roofs were also damaged. People came out of their homes after rain receded out of curiosity to take a glimpse of the hailstones.
While no casualty has been reported in the hailstorm, some farmers in the area has demanded financial assistance from administration to cope up with the loss.
Ms Kalinga