Shopian: A brief but intense hailstorm on Thursday caused heavy damage to apple and other crops in Pinjora, Habdipora and adjacent areas of Shopian town where apple is grown extensively.
Orchardists from the area said that the hailstorm lasted for 20 minutes and left apple and other fruit crops heavily damaged.
Several areas of Shopian have in recent weeks suffered damage to fruit crops due to hailstones and intense storms. However, neither the crop damages have been assessed yet by the revenue or horticulture department nor any compensation has been released to the affected people.
The areas which were affected due to today’s hailstorm include Shopian town, its adjacent areas like Pinjora, Habdipora, Arshipora, Ganowpora, and adjacent villages.
Locals said that fruits have sustained major injuries due to hailstones, and that such injuries will not heal as the fruit has already grown in size.
A horticulture official said that they will assess the damages and will forward the report to higher authorities.

Raashid Hassan