15-Minute Storm Devastates Kharibari Banana Farms, Farmers Face Ruin

• A 15-minute storm in Kharibari, Darjeeling, completely devastated banana cultivation across 50 bighas of land.
• Farmers in Gain Jot area of Binnabari Gram Panchayat saw their long-term hard work destroyed, with banana tree tops breaking before fruit emergence.
• Many farmers, dependent on banana cultivation, had taken loans of up to 3 lakh rupees and are now worried about repayment and potential starvation.
• The storm destroyed crops that were just 3 months away from being ready for sale, causing immense financial and emotional distress.
• Devastated farmers are now appealing for urgent government assistance to cope with their massive losses.