Srinagar, May 7: National Conference State Spokesperson and In Charge constituency Kulgam Imran Nabi Dar has expressed grief over the losses to people following heavy hailstorm across the South Kashmir areas, urging the incumbent administration to come to the rescue of people in distress.
Expressing anguish over the losses incurred by farmers and orchardists, Imran said, “High velocity hailstorm coupled with rains has affected South Kashmir areas particularly Shopian and Kulgam districts. There are reports of extensive damage to orchards and standing fields crops. Severe hailstorm has wreaked havoc in these areas causing significant damage to orchards and field crops.”
Imran said that cloudbursts and hailstorms are not uncommon in hilly areas in upper reaches and it is a reminder that there is need for disaster preparedness and management in the district and adjoining areas. “Horticulture and revenue department should depute ground staffers to visit the area and take an assessment of the damage and provide some relief for the affected farmers. It’s high time for the government to bring the apple industry under the crop insurance scheme. Such natural calamities leave our farmers distraught, therefore its imperative for the incumbent government to have a proper institutionalised response in place to deal with such eventualities and resultant losses.”