Pulwama, April 22, CNS: The devastating hailstorms left behind a trail of destruction, leveling standing crops destroying apple and almond flowers on Friday in South Kashmir’s Pulwama and Kulgam districts.
Fruits as well as crops according to locals witnessed devastation. The hailstorm continued for at least 15 minutes leaving behind a trail of destruction. The worst affected villages were Gussu, Frasipora, Rehmo, Mirgund, Qamrazipora, Mitrigam and Tujan in Pulwama while several villages in Kulgam too witnessed destruction of crops and fruits due to heavy hailstorm.
“Hailstorm destroyed over 90% crops of wheat, mustard, almond and apple fruits,” lamented 65-year-old farmer Muhammad Akbar Dar of Qamrazipora village.
Another farmer from Frasipora village told CNS that they were expecting bumper crops and fruits this year, but in a jiffy everything got destroyed. “We are helpless and now government is the only hope for us,” he said.
When contacted a top official from District administration said that, “Our teams will survey every affected village. Damage has been done to crops but its extent is still not clear. It will take at least a week days to assess the situation,” he said. (CNS)