Extensive loss to paddy crop due to incessant rains in the past two days have begun coming in. Across the agriculturally vital district of Bijnor, heavy overnight rains have damaged an estimated 30% of standing paddy crops. At some places, sugarcane crops, which can usually withstand rain damage, have also been affected just as they were about to ripen, because of the heavy winds that accompanied showers. Officials are estimating the exact damage to standing crops. The downpour has affected not only day-to-day life but has also wreaked havoc on standing crops. According to farmers, paddy crop has been the most affected, as it was at the ripening stage and needed sunlight. However, rain has flattened paddy fields across Bijnor. Second, dampness in the air will also affect the crop, and so will the fungus which is likely to infect paddy stalks after the rains. These factors will drastically hit paddy yield this time. District president of Bhartiya Kisan Union, Digambar Singh said, “Around 30% of the paddy crop has been affected by heavy rain in the past two days, the strong winds that accompanied it. This year we were expecting a high yield but unfortunately this change in the weather had dashed all our hopes. We are keeping our fingers crossed. The administration should conduct a survey of the damage caused by the rain and farmers should be compensated for the loss. Paddy is cultivated on 55,000 hectares across Bijnor. This year, the area under cultivation was decreased from 60,000 hectares due to a jump in sugarcane crop cultivation area.