Hailstorm causes extensive damage in Pulwama

PULWAMA — Heavy rains and hailstorm wreaked havoc in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday, uprooting trees and damaging orchards and standing crops.

Reports said that the hailstorm that lasted several minutes caused severe damage to apple orchards and standing crops in the district.

The apple orchards in the Tral, Lassipora, Awantipora, Rajpora, Murran, Abhama and adjoining villages were destroyed by the hailstorm and windstorm.

Some residential houses and private vehicles were also damaged as gusty winds uprooted trees in the area.

The frequent hailstorm in last two weeks has led to huge losses to the fruit growers, farmers and others in the Valley. They have demanded the state administration to assess the damage and provide compensation to them so that they can have a sigh of relief.

“Massive hailstorm has wrecked (sic) havoc in Horticulture/Agriculture fields. Joint teams will be sent for damage assessment & relief first thing tmrw (tomorrow). Whatever we can do to be of help to the general public will done. Very difficult time for our brethren who depend on the crop. Prayers,” tweeted DC Pulwama, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah.