Baramulla, May 22 (JKNS): A sudden hailstorm followed by heavy rain hit several areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday evening, causing extensive damage to apple orchards and paddy fields during the peak harvesting season.
As per news agency JKNS, The storm struck around 5:00 PM and continued for over eight minutes across Rafiabad, Zaingeer, Sopore and adjoining areas, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.
Villages including Saripara, Chijhama, Laiser, Dulgund, Behrampora, Shangergund, Chatloora, Watergam, Saidpora, Dangerpora and nearby localities were among the worst affected. Similar reports of crop damage were also received from Sopore areas.
“It is harvesting season for apples. Though nearly 50 percent of the crop had already been plucked, the remaining fruit on the trees has been severely damaged,” said Mohammad Ashraf, an orchardist from Laiser Rafiabad.
Farmers said that harvested apples lying in orchards also suffered damage due to the hailstorm and rain.
Paddy cultivators too reported major losses.
“The harvested paddy lying in the fields was battered by the hailstorm, causing heavy losses,” local farmers said.
The hailstorm was followed by strong winds and heavy rainfall, further increasing concerns among the farming community over the scale of damage caused to crops and orchards. (JKNS)
