Hailstorm, heavy rains damage crops, orchards in parts of Sopore
Sopore: Heavy rains accompanied by hailstorm wreaked havoc in many villages of Zaingeer belt including apple town Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday.
The hailstorm caused huge damage to standing crops and apple orchards in major parts of Zaingeer including Botingoo, Hathlangoo, Janwara, Warpora, Muqam and other adjoining areas leaving farmers in distress over expected losses.
The orchardists and farmers of the area said that the hailstorm has earlier also caused damage to crops.
“This year, we expected a good crop as our orchards seemed to be abundant in apples, but the hail storms have not only dashed our hopes, but also left the orchardists in desperation,” said Mushtaq Ahmad Tantray former President of Fruit Growers and Dealers Association Fruit Mandi Sopore.
Meanwhile, farmers have appealed the authorities and governor to depute teams of Horticulture Department to the affected area for the assessment of the losses and compensate farmers accordingly.
