Representational Picture

Handwara, May 6: A hailstorm setting in this afternoon has wrecked havoc to orchards and standing crops here in multiple hamlets of Qalamabad Mawar area. 

Reports said that the hailstorm witnessed in Puthwari Nowgam, Reshwari, Yahama, Lawoosa, Qalamabad, Audoora, Prangroo, Shatgund Bala and Drangsoo Shahnagri started at around 4:28 PM. Lasting for about 10 minutes, the hailstorm caused an extensive damage to orchards including apple, almond, walnut and cherry besides substantially damaging standing crops, vegetables and paddy saplings.

A local Ashiq Hussain Shiekh said that the hailstorm has dashed their hopes of a good harvest. “We urge the government to take assessment of the damage caused and accordingly devise some relief plan to compensate the affected households”, he said.

Meanwhile locals from other areas have also urged authorities to compensate for the damage caused. gns