SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone on Friday visited several hailstorm-affected villages of Upper Rajwar in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district to assess the damage caused to orchards and agricultural land.
The affected areas included Ahgam, Rajpora, Nizama and Zachaldara, where residents reported extensive crop losses following the severe hailstorm. Lone interacted with farmers and local residents, describing the situation as widespread and severe, and urged the authorities to initiate immediate relief measures.
He said farmers had suffered significant financial losses due to damage to horticultural produce, estimating the impact to run into crores of rupees. He called for urgent intervention by the administration to provide compensation and relief support.
Lone also expressed concern over the delay in the arrival of government officials at the affected sites for assessment of losses, stating that no immediate field-level response had been seen even hours after the incident.
He observed that the intensity of the hailstorm had caused visible damage to orchards, with fruit trees and crops extensively affected across the belt. Residents, he said, were struggling to cope with the scale of destruction.
The MLA further called for a structured crop insurance mechanism to protect farmers against recurring weather-related losses and urged consideration of relief measures such as loan waivers and financial concessions for affected families.
Lone said he would take up the matter with the administration to seek an official assessment of the damage and ensure timely assistance for the affected population.
