Hailstorm wreaked havoc on several villages in the Baramulla district of north Kashmir, causing extensive damage to horticulture and agriculture crops on Thursday afternoon.
Local residents from various areas of the district have reported heavy destruction of crops due to the hailstorm.
The entire Rafiabad belt, including villages such as Ladua Ladoora, Rohama, Nadihal, Chakloo, Janzbazpora and nearby areas, experienced an intense hailstorm, resulting in significant crop damages.
Similarly, in the Kreeri Wagoora and Kandi belt, a heavy hailstorm lasting for 15 minutes covered the ground with an inch deep layer of hail, tearing down standing fruit and agriculture crops.
The most severely affected villages include Ladu Ladoora, Hadipora, Chakloo, Janzbazpora in Rafiabad, and Kreeri Wagoora, Chandoosa areas in the Kandi belt, along with neighboring villages.
Fruit growers have reported that the hailstones were exceptionally large, completely destroying the standing crops.
The orchardists explained that the hailstones caused extensive damage to developing apple fruit on trees and completely ruined the cherry crops.
Rashid Ahmad, a resident of Wagoora, expressed to Rising Kashmir that this hailstorm had nearly torn apart the fruit trees and devastated the foliage.
“The cherry crop suffered the maximum damage. The torn leaves beneath each tree painted a horrific scene after the hailstorm,” he added.
The growers further revealed that the Kashmir fruit sector has been grappling with a significant crisis over the past year, as a substantial portion of fruits has been affected by a severe early scab infection.
Bilal Ahmad, speaking on behalf of the growers, emphasized that while they were already combating disease infestations in the crop, weather unpredictability in the form of winds and hail dashed any hopes of a profitable harvest.
The orchardists called for swift assessment of losses and prompt compensation for those dependent on the sector.
Raja Sajad Khan, a local resident of Ladua Ladoora, described the hailstones as being so heavy that they shattered window panes, created holes in plastic chairs and tables, and even penetrated the tin roofs of houses in the village.
“If the hailstones could do this to inanimate objects, just imagine the impact on fruits and vegetables. It was nothing short of a catastrophe. District administration must step in and compensate the locals here,” he added.
