Baramulla: Overnight stormy winds, rains followed by heavy hailstorm on Wednesday afternoon caused extensive damage to apple orchards, paddy and vegetable crop in different areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on
Reports suggested that the crops were severely damaged and the apple orchards have also suffered huge losses in various villages.
Locals said following the rains, heavy hailstorm wreaked havoc in north Kashmir’s Rafiabad, Sopore, Baramulla, Kandi and Narwav Sheeri areas including Braman, Khamo, Tangwari, Shalkote, Nadihal, Ladora, Ladowa,Shalkote, Wohulutra, Rohma and in Zaingeer belt areas like Sagipora, Zaloora, Wadoora, Tujar Sharief, Harwan and in Rafiabad areas like Pazalpora, Sopur Naghama, Wahipora, and in Handwara villages like Langate, Yaroo, Udipora, Ganapora, and Tulwari.
Ghulam Rasool, an apple grower said, “ After heavy rains, the hailstorm knocked down apple orchards about 3 to 5 minutes in many areas, the hailstorm left about a layer of white icy stones on the ground.
Farmers while demanding compensation for the losses said that the horticulture department should visit these areas and see the situation themselves.
Meanwhile, District Horticulture Officer said that horticulture department will be sending its teams to assess the damage and prepare a report for compensation to the affected growers and farmers.
