Severe hailstorms hit many parts of the Indian region of Kashmir over the weekend causing major damage to some of the key fruit growing regions of the country.

Apple and pear trees were battered in the hailstorm and strong winds that first started last Friday (August 15).

To make matter worse, the extreme weather hit directly at the time when fruit was at the ripening stage; therefore causing severe bruising and leading to a 'total loss' for some farmers.

Speaking to www.freshfruitportal.com, chief horticultural officer for the department of horticulture in Kashmir's Kulgam district, Shabir Ahmad, explained the hail stones were so large they lacerated trees and have ruined 'a significant amount' of fruit.

While speaking with us, Ahmad was touring Kashmir by train carrying out initial assessments of some of the worst affected orchards believed to be in Sonuham, Tarigam, Kujar, Bhan and other remote villages completely reliant on the apple and pear sector.

"The storm was a very bad one and caused severe damage to some fruit; somewhere between 30% and 60% in various areas around Kashmir. I know of other farmers who have suffered a complete loss as a result," he said.

"The fruit industry in these places is the primary source of income for hundreds of people. No fruit means no money at all and there is no other way to earn. The damage we have seen so far has been devastating for some people."

Seeking compensation

Ahmad added that some farmers had forecast very high yields this season but the damage has written off the great expectations felt earlier this year.

"Now we are preparing a report to submit to the Kashmir government to calculate some compensation for the orchardists who have suffered, in some cases, a total loss," he said.

"I hope they will be helped and given some financial relief because some of them have lost around more than half of their fruit, so in certain cases I am sure farmers will be compensated.

"We have primarily assessed the damage caused by the worst part of the storm; the strongest part lasted for just 15 minutes but wiped out a lot of fruit in that time."

The assessments also include looking at apple and pear crops that are now at risk of developing disease as a result of the hailstorm.

Outside of Kashmir's fruit sector, scores of other trees have been uprooted, several residential homes were severely battered,  damage was caused to electricity poles and one person was killed when a tree landed on a car.

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www.freshfruitportal.com