NC anguished over losses to orchardists in North Kashmir due to heavy hailstorm

Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Wednesday expressed anguish overheavy damages to the fruit orchards due to the heavy hailstorm that lashed parts of North Kashmir the other day.
This is the second time in this month that hailstorm caused damages to fruit of various varieties which are in their early stages of the formation, said Party MP Muhammad Akbar Lone, and North Zone President Javed Dar in a joint statement released from the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subh today.
“Hailstorm today wreaked havoc across the areas of north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Handwara, Langate, Rajwar, Rafiabad resulting in huge damage to orchards and other standing crops. The hailstorm which continued for several minutes damaged standing crops, walnut trees including apple trees causing huge damage to the growers who now feel distressed and are looking towards the government for a helping hand. Our fruit growers are already sailing in a sinking boat for the past few years due to continuous lockdowns and natural calamities. People associated with it have been left in disdain and stress due the unconcerned attitude of administration. Therefore it is imperative for the government to come to their rescue forthwith,” they said.
They appealed to the LG to provide compensation to the affected fruitand paddy Growers for the losses and requested the Administration to waive off the KCC Loans up to 3 Lacs. They also urgedthe horticulture department to depute teams to the affected areas and take stock of the damage caused. The farmers and growers have also demanded compensation because of damages.