Adil Abdullah
Baramulla, Oct 4: A severe hailstorm accompanied by strong winds devastated Rafiabad and nearby areas in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Saturday evening, leaving apple orchards and standing paddy crops in ruins. The storm struck at the peak of apple harvesting, flattening fruit-laden orchards and fields awaiting paddy harvest.
Farmers described the calamity as one of the most destructive in recent years, with large hailstones and gusty winds persisting for nearly 15 minutes. Villages including Rohama, Dangiwacha, Hadipora, and parts of Sopore were among the worst affected. Many orchardists reported apples ready for market lying shattered on the ground.
“The hailstorm has wiped out months of hard work within minutes. Apples that were ripe for sale are completely destroyed,” said Ghulam Nabi, a farmer from Dangiwacha. Another grower noted the timing was particularly disastrous, as the late-season crop is the most valuable for quality and yield.
Locals urged the administration and Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar to send assessment teams and ensure immediate relief and compensation, emphasizing that support is crucial for farmers to recover from this severe blow.
The sudden storm, preceded by dark clouds and strong winds, not only damaged orchards and crops but also impacted rooftops and other structures in affected villages, highlighting the need for rapid disaster response in the region. [KNT]
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