SRINAGAR: Heavy rains coupled with hailstorm destroyed agricultural and horticultural crops in many villages in north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Monday. According to preliminary estimates thousands of acres of paddy crop has been severely damaged.
The villages where the crops were devastated include Trehgam, Hayan, Herri, Batergam, Gulgam. Awoora, Tikker and other adjecent areas. Reports of hailstorm were also received from Kupwara town, Gushe, Bohipora and other adjacent areas.
Hailstorm with hailstones, weighing about 25 to 30 grams continued up to Thirty minutes, severely damaging paddy fields and other horticulture crops including walnut, pear, apple as well as vegetables. When the storm stopped the roof tops and fields came under white blanket of hailstones, Tariq Ahmad of Herri said.
Tariq said that the intensity of the hailstorm was so severe that it thrashed the trees and plants knocking down walnuts, apples, paddy and maize produce in what were blooming orchards and fields.
The paddy produce that forms the backbone of the agricultural economy of the area suffered the maximum damage. The paddy producing areas of Tikker,Hirri, Batergam, Awoora, Bohipora and Kupwara were the worst sufferers in the fresh calamity, the locals said.
People blamed the government for not taking any action during the past three heavy hailstorms that damaged the crops severely at various areas in the district. The government all the times remained totally inactive to assess the damage caused by the hailstorm alleged some of the locals.
Herri, Hayan, Tikker, Batergam areas were reportedly worst hit areas in the district. Meanwhile people of the area have demanded that fresh survey be undertaken to assess losses that people have suffered so that necessary compensation is paid to the farmers who suffered because of the sudden natural calamity.
Tahsildar Kupwara Hilal Ahmad confirmed the reports of devastating hailstorm that has damaged 100 per cent of the crops of the area which are Hirri, Gulgam, Batergam, Awoora, Laderwan and other adjecent areas as well. He told KNS that as the reports of the hailstorm were received late at 4:30 PM he visit the affected area with the team of officers to assess the damage. kns
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