Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 14: Hailstorm today wreaked havoc across the areas of north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Handwara, Langate, 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.
The farmers as well as the growers have appealed to the Government to provide them compensation because of the losses they suffered due to the hailstorm.
Meanwhile, President KFGDA Fruit Mandi Sopore Fayaz Ahmad Malik said that the hailstorm has resulted in disaster to the apple orchards and other Crops resulting in huge losses to the Growers.
“The Apple Growers are already sailing in a sinking boat from past few years due to continuous lockdowns and natural calamities. The Apple industry and people associated with it have been left in disdain and stress due,” he said.
He appealed to the LG to provide compensation to the Apple Growers for the losses and requested the Administration to waive off the KCC Loans up to 3 Lacs.
Meanwhile, Farmers has urged DC Kupwara and the horticulture department to visit the affected areas and take stock of the damage caused. The farmers and growers have also demanded compensation because of damages.
Director Horticulture, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat said that they will soon get assessment reports from the affected areas and then the damages will be accessed and necessary assistance will be provided.
He said that a fresh advisory has been issued in view him recent hailstorm while adding that the teams have been directed to assess the loss.
Follow our WhatsApp channel