Hailstorms wreak havoc in valley parts

Srinagar : High-velocity hailstorms on Friday caused massive damage to orchards and standing crops in various parts of the valley.
Massive hailstorms created havoc in many areas of Kashmir, especially in Kulgam, Baramulla and Anantnag districts.
Kulgam district in south Kashmir faced the maximum brunt as hailstorms caused huge damage to orchards and vegetation.
Growers from various areas of the valley said that extensive damage has been done to their orchards and crop fields due to hailstorms and other climatic events.
Abdul Jabbar Naik, a grower from Kulgam, said that hailstorms caused severe damage to his orchard and now the fruit-bearing capacity of the trees will be decreased this year.
He said orchardists have been spending all their earnings on the expenses of 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 urged the government to compensate them for huge losses for the past many years.
Meanwhile, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal said that Kulgam remains much affected due to the hailstorm that hit the valley. “Our teams are on the ground to assess the damage,” he said