Kupwara, June 3: Hailstorm coupled with heavy rainfall Thursday hit several villages of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, causing widespread damage to orchards and other crops.
The hailstorm and heavy rainfall caused damage in areas including Dardpora, Harie and other hamlets of Kralpora, leaving farmers shattered.
“A massive hailstorm coupled with heavy rainfall started Thursday afternoon and lasted half an hour, causing huge loss to orchards including apple, almond, walnut and cherry besides damaging standing crops, vegetables and paddy saplings,” said Momin, a local from Kralpora.
Locals said that the road near Malik Gas Agency at Kralpora was also damaged due to heavy rainfall.
He said that a big portion of the road had caved in due to which traffic was halted for some time.
Locals said that they were anticipating a good crop this year but the hailstorm had dashed their hopes.
They urged the authorities to compensate the affected farmers.