Hailstorm damages apple orchards, crops in north Kashmir

Malik Nisar

Baramulla, May 15: Heavy winds accompanied by hailstorm wreaked havoc in various parts of north Kashmir districts of Baramulla and Kupwara for the second consecutive day on Saturday damaging orchards and standing crops.

Hailstorm lashed a number of north Kashmir villages including Goushbugh, Magraypora, Aglar, Lolipora, Delina, Palhallan, Hamray and adjacent villages causing heavy damage to apple orchards and other crops, villagers said.

The residents said the hail has severely damaged the crops causing losses worth crores to the farmers.

Similarly, on Friday evening heavy gusty winds along with rain lashed parts of Handwara, Rajawara and Qaziabad inflicted huge losses to crops, particularly apple.

“The hailstorm has badly damaged the crops and hit the lone source of income of people in these villages,” said Tajamul Ahmad, a resident of Handwara.

Meanwhile affected farmers and apple growers have demanded compensation for the losses and requested the Lieutenant Governor for a quick assessment of the damaged products.

Farmers said lack of crop insurance leaves them in the lurch in times of natural calamities, be it hailstorm on standing crops or untimely snow.