A hailstorm impacted several villages within south Kashmir's Shopian district, causing disruptions across numerous apple orchards. This event took place at approximately 2:30 pm, affecting regions like Nagbal, Handew, Wadipora, Alsshipora, and Dasu.
The farmers from the impacted areas reported that rains, followed by hailstones, damaged apple crops. Basharat Ahmad, a farmer from Handew, stated, "The hailstorm lasted for more than 15-20 minutes and caused much damage to the fruit." He noted the hailstones were chickpea-sized and severely affected almost the entirety of their apple harvest.
Farmers estimated the damage to their crops to be between 60 to 70 per cent. In the aftermath, videos showed distressed individuals assessing the destruction to their orchards, expressing visible concern and emotional distress.
One farmer shared in an online video, "My sister is getting married next month, and I had pinned all my hopes on this harvest. We are left with nothing." He discussed the common occurrence of officials visiting post-calamity for damage assessment, only for limited compensation to follow. "Later, they pay a few hundred rupees in the name of compensation," the farmer said.
Kashmir's apple production is substantial, yielding around 20 lakh metric tons annually. This sector supports approximately 35 lakh individuals directly or indirectly. Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, from the All India Kisan Sabha, addressed greaterkashmir.com, underscoring the ongoing financial strain in the absence of a protective crop insurance scheme and other necessary measures.
Bhat called for government action for more supportive agricultural policies and adequate compensation measures, noting, "We demand timely financial relief that truly reflects the extent of losses suffered by growers.
Source: Greater Kashmir
