Srinagar: Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union on Monday expressed deep concern over the recent
rainfall coupled with hail storm that has caused severe affected to the apple crops, which were in blooming stage in Kashmir.
Basheer Ahmad Basheer, the Chairman of Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, Srinagar said that hail storm accompanied by rains and wind hit several parts of Rafiabad area in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Sunday wreaking havoc in apple orchards in several villages.
“The affected areas which hit by hailstorm are the areas of Watergam, Dangiwacha and Zainageer area of Sopore,” he said.
Furthermore he said that, “the Apple orchards which are in early stage have suffered massive damages causing heavy losses to fruit Growers of the affected areas” adding high intensity hailstorm stormy winds and strong rains have destroyed almost entire apple crop in atleast around a dozen villages of these affected areas with the result of which the Apple Crop are devastated with the apprehension of losses of Crores of rupees.
Meanwhile the body has requested SKAUST, Srinagar and Director Horticulture Development Kashmir and Director Horticulture P&M to depute the concern staff immediately to all affected areas of District Baramulla for the purpose of assessing the losses suffered due to acute hailstorm and making the Fruit Growers aware about necessary remedial to be adopted in order to avoid any damages/ diseases in the Apple orchards.
The Governor and the advisor Incharge horticulture is also requested for consideration of grant of compensation of losses suffered in several villages of District Baramulla due to heavy hailstorm, stormy winds and rains which inflicted measure damages of Fruit orchards of District Baramulla.
