Samaan Lateef | Srinagar
In an unfortunate event, hailstorms have wreaked havoc on the apple and cherry orchards in various parts of north Kashmir. The region was hit by heavy rains followed by destructive hailstorms, resulting in severe damage to the ripening fruits and cultivated crops.
The affected areas include Baramulla, Kupwara, Wagoora, Hajibal, Pattan, Tangmarg, and certain sections of Rafiabad.
Local farmers and orchard owners are grappling with substantial losses due to the devastating impact of the hailstorms.
In the district of Baramulla, particularly in Wagoora tehsil, the hailstorm inflicted significant harm to cherries, pears, and apricots.
Orchards that once held promise for a fruitful season now bear the scars of destruction.
Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Wagoora, expressed the distressing situation, stating that their orchards had been left in ruins by the unforgiving hailstorm.
Reports of damaged orchards and crops also emerged from Kupwara, Pattan, Hajibal, and parts of Rafiabad.
Tangmarg witnessed a similar fate, with heavy rainfall and hailstorm impacting apple orchards, walnut trees, and pear trees.
The local community voiced their concerns as these repeated natural calamities have severely impacted the region’s fruit yield for the third consecutive year. The decrease in production makes it challenging for traders to replenish their diminishing stocks.
The unexpected nature of the rain and hail caught most farmers off guard, resulting in worries about the degradation of fruit quality. While it is too early to ascertain the full extent of the damage caused, the government has acknowledged the situation and is actively assessing the losses. They have assured farmers of their intent to provide assistance during this challenging period. A senior government official stated that efforts would be made to support the affected farmers.
This unfortunate incident highlights the vulnerability of agricultural communities to natural disasters and the subsequent economic repercussions. The farmers in north Kashmir face an uphill battle as they strive to recover from the damage inflicted by these destructive hailstorms.
