Hailstorms Wreak Havoc In Kashmir Valley, Agriculture Teams Assess Damage

SRINAGAR: High-velocity hailstorms on Friday caused massive damage to orchards and standing crops in various parts of the valley.

According to reports received by the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the massive hailstorms created havoc in many areas of Kashmir, especially in Kulgam, Baramulla, and Anantnag districts.

Kulgam district in south Kashmir was hit the hardest, as hailstorms caused significant damage to orchards and vegetation.

Growers from various areas of the valley said that hailstorms and other climatic events have caused extensive damage to their orchards and crop fields.

Abdul Jabbar Naik, a grower from Kulgam, said that hailstorms caused severe damage to his orchard, and the fruit-bearing capacity of the trees will be reduced this year.

He said orchardists have been spending all their earnings on fertilisers and labour for their orchards and crop fields. “This year, we expected a good crop as our orchards seemed to be abundant with apples, but the hailstorm dashed all our hopes,” Naik said.

The growers have urged the government to compensate them for the huge losses they have suffered over the past several years.

Meanwhile, Director of Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal said that Kulgam was the worst affected by the hailstorm that hit the valley.

“Our teams are on the ground to assess the damage,” he said. (KNO)