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95% fruit, crop destroyed in Shopian hailstorm

SHABIR AHMAD. Dated: 8/23/2012 12:22:57 AM

SRINAGAR, Aug 22 : Strong winds accompanied by hail stones that swept several villages of Shopian district last evening have caused huge damage to both the crops and the fruit.
Officials said that the speedy winds amid the heavy hail stones which hit the area at around 6:45 pm last evening caused major complete damage to both the agriculture and horticulture, the main sources of livelihood for the people of the area.
Some of the affected villages include Baltipora, Kralchak, Matipora, Kanipora, Ganapora, Pinjurah, Nadapora.
Reports said that the speedy winds uprooted hundreds of apple and poplar trees in the area besides causing minor or major damage to the houses also. “Since the speedy winds were accompanied by heavy hail stones, these caused extensive damage to both the crop and fruit. In just 10 minutes the winds and hail storm completely destroyed our crop and uprooted hundreds of trees. Had the winds continued for few more minutes at the same speed not a single tree would have been standing,” a local said over phone.
Another resident, Bashir Ahmad said that it is for the first time in his life that he has seen such high velocity winds and huge hail stones.
The locals said that they can hardly see any fruit on their apple trees. “Almost every fruit has fallen from the apple trees. Even if there is any that has been badly injured due to hails stones,” locals said.
Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) Keller, Mukhtar Ahmad Wani, talking to Kashmir Times, said that at least 95 percent damage has been caused to the fruits and crops in the affected villages.
“We along with additional deputy commissioner today visited all the affected areas to asses the damage caused by the cyclone and hail stones. At least 95 percent of the fruit and crop was found to be
completely damaged,” he said.
He said that they will properly asses how much damage has been caused to every household in the area. “After the proper assessment of the damage we will submit a report to the government and recommend the proper compensation to the affected families,” HDO said.
He said that the high velocity winds amid hail stones resulted in such a huge damage.
“Every hail stone was weighing about 100 gms. So you can imagine how it would injure the fruit,” the horticulture officer said.