Bandipora, Oct 12: A severe hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds damaged apple crops across 262 hectares in Bandipora district, with losses reaching 80 percent in some areas, a preliminary assessment by the Horticulture Department has found.
The hailstorm struck on Thursday afternoon, initially bringing light drizzle before intensifying into heavy hail that pounded orchards for several minutes.
According to a report submitted by the Chief Horticulture Officer to the District Development Commissioner, around 65 to 70 percent of the apple crop had been harvested before the storm, leaving the remaining fruit on trees exposed to extensive damage.
The Chief Horticulture Officer, Bandipora, told Greater Kashmir that field teams were conducting individual assessments of affected growers to determine the exact losses in monetary terms.
The extent of damage varied across villages depending on the duration and intensity of the hailstorm. The Bandipora horticulture zone reported losses across several blocks, while the neighbouring Hajin, Sumbal and Aloosa zones escaped damage.
The municipal area of Bandipora was among the worst-hit, with hail lasting 10 to 15 minutes and damaging 70 to 80 percent of the standing crop. Nusso reported damage across seven hectares out of 34 hectares of orchards, while Mader and Bagh each recorded damage across four hectares. Ajar and Bandipora town reported losses across three hectares each, while Kaloosa, Dachigam and Papchan reported two hectares each.
In the Bandipora block, hail lasting five to 10 minutes caused damage of 60 to 70 percent in several areas. Ayatmulla and Pazalpora each reported damage across seven hectares, while Panzigam and Khayar recorded four hectares each. Lawaypora, Checkreshipora and Sonerwani reported three hectares each, while Watrina recorded two hectares.
Damage varied elsewhere in the block. Ahamishareef reported losses of 50 to 60 percent across four hectares, Dharmahama 40 to 50 percent across two hectares, and Bhutoo 25 to 30 percent across two hectares.
The Arin block recorded extensive damage in terms of affected orchard area. Arin and Chitaybanday each reported damage across 50 hectares, with crop losses estimated at 40 to 50 percent. Aragam recorded damage across 37.5 hectares.
Brar suffered heavier losses, with 60 to 70 percent damage across 4.35 hectares. Kunan and Gamroo reported losses of 50 to 60 percent across eight and five hectares, respectively. Groora reported damage across seven hectares, Gundpora five hectares, and Gundi Kaiser and Nadihal three hectares each, with losses in the 40 to 50 percent range. TA Shah and CA Khan reported damage across three and two hectares, respectively.
The Bonakoot block largely escaped severe damage, as hail lasted only two to five minutes in most affected areas. Losses were estimated at 25 to 30 percent in Bonakoot, Mantrigam and Pethkoot, with damage reported across three hectares in each village. Athwato and Guzerbal recorded two hectares each.
Kralpora was an exception, with hail lasting five to 10 minutes and damaging 60 to 70 percent of the standing crop across three hectares out of its 17-hectare orchard area.
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