A severe hailstorm accompanied by strong winds struck 25 villages in Shopian district on 2 August, leaving behind a trail of devastation in the apple orchards. The worst-hit areas include Ratnipora, Hanji Pora, Bemnipora, and Gada Pora, where the once lush orchards now resemble barren landscapes.
DDC kapran Mohammoda Nisar raised concerns about the significant damage caused to apple crops by the hailstorms. She called upon the government to provide fair compensation to the affected apple farmers and stressed the urgent need for implementing a comprehensive crop insurance scheme to protect the livelihoods of these farmers.
Farmers in the affected areas are facing immense trauma and stress, as their primary source of livelihood has been severely damaged. One local farmer, while collecting fallen fruits from his orchard, expressed his despair, stating that 50 percent of his produce had already dropped to the ground, while the remaining 50 percent bore injuries from the hailstorm. "We have no idea how to recover from this disaster or clear the debts incurred from purchasing pesticides and fertilizers," he lamented. The farmer emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to help farmers overcome this crisis.
In response to the calamity, Deputy Commissioner of Shopian, Shahid Saleem, announced that assessment teams from the horticulture and revenue departments have been dispatched to the affected areas. "The process of assessing the damage has begun," he stated, assuring the farmers that the authorities are taking steps to evaluate the extent of the loss and determine the necessary support measures.