Kupwara, Oct 03: A hailstorm setting in this evening has wrecked havoc to orchards, paddy harvest and standing crops in multiple hamlets falling in twin districts of Kupwara and Baramulla.

Reports  said that a severe spell of hailstorm was witnessed in Manzgam, Kulmoona, Tarathpora, Hafrada, Zurhama, Ladrawan, Alchizab, Marhama and Panzgam areas of Kupwara at around 8:28 PM. Lasting for nearly 15 minutes, the hailstorm caused an extensive damage to orchards and paddy fields besides substantially damaging vegetable gardens.

Similar reports were received from Delina, Khushalpora and several other areas falling in Baramulla district.

A local Reyaz Ahmad told GNS 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 in the weather fury. gns