Hailstorm Destroys 70% of Fruit Harvest in Srinagar; Farmers Demand loan waiver

Fruit trees on the outskirts of Srinagar were severely damaged by the hailstorm that pounded portions of Kashmir on Friday.

According to a preliminary assessment by the Horticulture Department in Kashmir the hailstorm damaged 70% of cherry, walnut, and apple orchards in Harwan and Fakeer Gujri on the outskirts of Srinagar.

"The hailstorm lasted nearly an hour in Fakeer Gujri, Dhara, and Harwan, destroying various crops including Cherry, Walnut, Apple, Mustard Oil, Vegetables, and Pulses," Director General Horticulture, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat told Greater Kashmir.

A waiver for this year's Kisan Credit Card Loan (KCC Loan) has been requested by the affected farmers. Bhat, who assessed the situation in Harwan and the surrounding districts, said he had given farmers Rs 10,000 so far and "would do more whatever is in my capacity," he stated.

"The topic will be addressed with other concerned agencies before reaching a conclusion," the DG Horticulture stated of the farmers' petition to forgo this year's KCC.

According to the DG, orchards in Gulmarg and Tangmarg have sustained modest damage, with only 5% of the crop impacted.

According to the Meteorological Department, hot and dry weather will prevail in the UT over the next five days, but isolated hailstorms cannot be ruled out.

When asked about steps taken prior to hailstorms to protect orchards from damage, the DG Horticulture stated the department is going to purchase safety nets that may be placed over the fruit trees.

"We've started the process of procuring those nets, and we expect them to be ready shortly," the DG continued.

Meanwhile, the Horticulture Department has issued a warning to concerned farmers, advising them to apply fungicides on their damaged orchards.

Orchardists have been instructed to treat cherry, apricot, plum, and peach plants damaged by the hailstorm with one of the following fungicides:

Carbendazim 12% +Mancozeb 63% 75 WP (250g) or Thiophanate Methyl 70 WP (50g). Orchardists have also been instructed to remove any fallen leaves or fruitlets from their orchards as soon as possible.