Heavy hailstorm destroyed 45 acres of potato field in Baylangdra and Kazhi Gewogs in Wangdue Phodrang, on Tuesday. The storm, which lasted for 20 minutes at around 3 in the afternoon, flattened the potato plants that belonged to 46 households.
Many farmers, BBS spoke to, expressed their grief over the loss.
A farmer in Baylangdra, Kinley, said their only source of income has been destroyed. He said he is unsure of how to make the ends meet in the coming months.
The farmers also use the money they earn from selling potatoes to send their children to schools.
The farmers said they earn as much as Nu.2,00,000 yearly by selling potatoes. The earnings are used to meet their expenses throughout the year.
The officials visited the affected area yesterday. However, they said they will not be able to help the farmers this year. But they promised to give them free potato seeds in the next season.
