Parts of north Kashmir including tourist resorts of Tangmarg and Gulmarg on Friday received heavy hailstorm causing extensive damage to orchards of Apple and Cherry, sources said.
“Heavy intense hailstorm experienced in Tangmarg, Gulmarg and its adjacent areas in north Kashmir Baramulla District caused extensive damage to the orchards and other crops”, an independent Kashmir weather report said.
They said “an intense hailstorm has hit Tangmarg again today, damaging orchards and standing crops”.
Tourist resort of the Tangmarg, Gulmarg and its adjacent areas have suffered a huge loss in the past two weeks due to multiple spells of hailstorms, they added.
Meanwhile, Former Minister and Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir expressed concern over the huge loss suffered by orchardists due to the hailstorm in several villages of Tangmarg in North Kashmir’s Baramulla District.
In a statement, he called upon the district administration to provide compensation to the orchardists who lost their apple and cherry crop due to the natural catastrophe thus affecting their source of livelihood.
Mir urged the authorities to send a team to take account of the situation and ensure immediate help to the affected group.
“It is very sad to know that the hailstorm has caused huge damage to the Apple and Cherry orchards in Tangmarg. Since many people are dependent on orchards for their livelihood, the administration must come forward and provide necessary aid and compensation to the affected group at this time of desolation,” he said.