Heavy hailstorm destroyed blossoming crops in many areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Sunday afternoon. The farmers and fruit growers suffered huge monetary losses.

Hailstorm has badly affected Apple, Cherry and Pear blossoms which are in full bloom these days.

Reports said that affected areas are Kandi, Kreeri, Wagoora, Chandoosa, Kachwa, Kawcheck, Puthkhah, Kanispora, Chandsuma, Singhpora, Najibaht, Nowpora, Tangmarg and other adjoining areas.

“Apple, Cherry and Pear blossoms were seen lying on the ground due to heavy hailstorm that lasted for more than 5 minutes. This is a blossoming season and any undesirable change in weather has a bad impact on fruit crops,” farmers from Kandi said.

Farmers in many villages in the district said there was huge damage to apple, cherry, walnut and pear crops. Farmers wore grim faces as undesirable weather often lays waste on their hard labor.

The fruit industry is the main source of economy in this district and majority of the people derive their livelihood with the farming and agriculture.

“We have already suffered huge monetary losses in September floods of 2014 and landslides in March this year, now again hailstorm has damaged our crop,” the farmers said.

Farmers demanded that the horticulture department should conduct a survey so that the affected people are compensated. “The concerned department should make an assessment of the looses so that fruit growers can be provided compensation,” the farmers said.

Source - http://www.risingkashmir.com/