Snow damages orchards, affects power supply in Budgam
Budgam, Nov 03: After a long dry spell, Budgam district on Saturday received season’s first snowfall, bringing maximum temperature down.
Almost whole district witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall which began in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
The upper reaches including Drung, Brass, Sitharan, Zoogu, Arizal, Raiyar and Gurwait received one to two feet of snow, locals said, adding that Khag, Poshker, Shunglipora and Branwar witnessed six inches to one feet of snowfall.
The tourist destination, Tosamaidan recorded around four feet of snow, said Bilal Mohiudeen, who lives near Tosamaidan. While as local reports said that Doodhpathri also witnessed three feet of snow.
The plains of Budgam also received more than three inches of snowfall.
Meanwhile, the continuous precipitation has caused damage to orchards in Branwar, Gurwait, Kralpathri, Raiyar and sever other areas of the district.
An orchadist, Ghulam Mohammad of Kralpathri, Khansahib told Kashmir Images that snowfall damaged his apple crop and trees.
Mohammad Ashraf, a resident of Branwar said that the apple trees have suffered heavy damage due to heavy load of snow piled up on the branches and fruit.
The orchardists have demanded compensation from the government.
Speaking to Kashmir Images, Chief Horticulture Officer Budgam, P K Ambardar said that their teams are working on the ground to give “first aid” to trees, adding that compensation will follow.
Notably, in Budgam Township, traffic movement came to a standstill, following the accumulation of few inches of snow on the roads. Eyewitness said that vehicles were stuck in traffic jam from new bus stand to Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Also, the power supply remained affected in Budgam Township, forcing people to face inconveniences.
