Hailstorm, strong winds damage orchards, crops across IIOJK
Srinagar: Severe hailstorms and high-speed winds damaged apple orchards, vegetables and standing crops across parts of Indian illegally occupied Kashmir and Jammu, leaving growers facing heavy losses during a crucial stage of the fruit season.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in the Kashmir valley, south Kashmir areas along with Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla districts reported extensive damage to apple blossoms, tender fruit and vegetables. Growers said large hailstones destroyed crops within minutes.
In Samba and Kathua districts of Jammu region, strong winds uprooted trees and electric poles, damaged houses, sheds, BSNL towers and solar panels, and caused 40-50 percent of mango fruit to fall.
Farmers and residents urged the administration to assess the losses and provide compensation, saying they were already under financial stress due to erratic weather in recent years.
Growers, however, accused the authorities of apathy, saying damage assessments were often delayed and compensation rarely reached affected farmers on time.
