Hailstorm hits many villages of Kupwara

KUPWARA — Hailstorm wreaked havoc in many villages of Kupwara district, causing damage to apple orchards and walnut trees on Monday afternoon.

Reports reaching GNS said that in some villages including Puthwari Nowgam, Reshwari, Yahama, Mawerbala, Lawoosa, Qalamabad, Audoora, Shatgund Bala and Drangsoo, the hailstorm started at 5:32 PM and lasted for about eight minutes which resulted in heavy damage to apple trees, walnuts, cherry and vegetable gardens.

“This year, we expected a good crop as our orchards seemed to be abundant with apples, but the hailstorm has dashed all our hopes,” locals said.

They urged the government to help them as they had suffered huge losses for the past many years.

Damage to the apple orchards has also been reported in Handwara, Rajwar and Qaziabad areas.