Bandipora, Aug 23: A powerful hailstorm on Saturday evening wreaked havoc on standing crops and apple orchards in several villages of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, with Dardpora and Shamthan among the worst affected.
On Saturday, MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat visited the affected villages to assess the situation.He was accompanied by officers from the agriculture, horticulture, and field teams, who inspected the damaged orchards, crops and vegetable fields to gauge the extent of losses.
Expressing concern, Bhat urged the District Administration to conduct an immediate damage assessment and extend relief to the distressed farmers and orchardists. “The losses are extensive and timely intervention is necessary to safeguard livelihoods,” he said, assuring residents that the matter would be taken up with higher authorities.
Farmers in the Valley, heavily dependent on the apple season, said the hailstorm has dealt a serious blow to their harvest prospects.Many expressed fears of financial strain if compensation and support are delayed.