India: Hailstorm destroys apple blossom in Kashmir
The storm has struck at the worst possible time, when the trees were in full blossom and susceptible to damage which will later affect the ability to bear fruit.
“The losses are huge. Preliminary assessment has revealed losses to the apple blossoms ranging from 20 per cent to as high as 80 per cent in certain areas,” District Horticulture Officer, Shopian, Farooq Ahmad Mirza said.
The worst hit villages according to the reports have been Ranipora, Matribugh, Pratap Pora, Talupora, Zaipora and Khasipura. “In these areas the extent of damage is about 80 per cent,” said Mirza.
The fruit industry is the prime source of economy in Shopian district and losses will be a big blow to the local economy.
“We were expecting a bumper crop and subsequently a huge turn over but now 80 percent of our crop has been damaged,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a fruit grower of Matribugh village, whose own orchard was damaged by a hailstorm.
Source: greaterkashmir.com
