Fire Destroys Sugarcane Crops in Siraha, Losses Estimated Over Rs 11 Million

Siraha, Feb 16: A fire engulfed a sugarcane field spanning 30 bigha in Ghaletole, Lahan Municipality-13 on Monday noon, destroying crops belonging to 25 local farmers and causing estimated losses of around Rs 11.6 million.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Kailash Rai, Chief of Area Police Office, Lahan, said a police team was immediately dispatched to the site after receiving reports of the blaze. With help from residents, the fire was prevented from spreading to nearby homes.

The fire was fully extinguished after four hours of coordinated efforts involving security personnel, firefighters, and local volunteers. Initially, the fire engine from Lahan Municipality faced a water jetting malfunction, prompting backup support from Golbazar Municipality.

Police suspect a discarded cigarette or bidi may have caused the fire, or possibly was set intentionally, as it originated from the middle of the sugarcane field. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause.

Affected farmers voiced their distress over the losses. Ram Lakhan Mandal said he had planned to sell the sugarcane to cover household expenses and repay loans, but the investment was now lost. He called for the perpetrators to be identified and for proper compensation to be provided. Another farmer, Kapil Dev Yadav, urged legal action against those responsible, describing the incident as a crime against farmers.

According to local estimates, the fire destroyed roughly 18,000 quintals of sugarcane. With the average selling price of Rs 620 per quintal plus a government subsidy of Rs 70, the total projected loss is approximately Rs 12.42 million. Farmers highlighted that sugarcane yields an average of 30–35 quintals per kattha under proper irrigation and fertilisation.