Hail and windstorm devastates fruit orchards across South Kashmir

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Ziraat Times
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An orchard in Shopian after the storm

Shopian: A severe hailstorm coupled with a strong windstorm caused extensive damage to apple orchards across the south Kashmir districts of Shopian and Kulgam today afternoon. This natural calamity struck just as the apple harvest season was getting underway, devastating a significant portion of the crop that was still on the trees.

Orchardists who contacted Ziraat Times said in Shopian, the storm wreaked havoc in villages such as Kanjiullar, Kapran, Feripora, Pratappora, and Vehil. Similarly, in Kulgam, areas like Behibagh, Kader Dadrkoot, and Shiganpora suffered substantial losses. The hailstones, described as chickpea-sized, bruised the apples, significantly reducing their market value. Farmers in the region have expressed deep concern as the damaged apples can now only be sold at much lower prices, exacerbating the financial strain on those who rely heavily on this crop for their livelihood.

The apple industry in Kashmir has already faced numerous challenges over the years, including frequent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, market gluts, and unexpected weather events. This latest hailstorm has dashed the hopes of many farmers who were anticipating a good harvest due to better market prices this year.

The situation has prompted calls from local leaders for the implementation of a comprehensive crop insurance scheme to protect farmers from such unpredictable weather events. There is also a demand for immediate compensation for the affected growers to help them recover from the losses incurred due to the storm.

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