Shopian, Aug 06 (KNO): Just when apple growers believed the worst of this year's weather-related disasters was over, nature dealt them another crushing blow. Strong gusty winds accompanied by heavy rainfall battered several villages of south Kashmir's Shopian district on Thursday, causing widespread damage to apple orchards at a stage when the fruit was nearing maturity, and growers were preparing for the harvest.
The untimely weather has left hundreds of orchardists staring at huge financial losses, with countless apples blown off trees and fruit-bearing branches snapped under the force of the winds. The damage comes after months of painstaking care, heavy investment and repeated weather-related challenges that growers have endured throughout the season.
The affected villages include Mantribugh, Hermain, Kachdura and Kaprin in the Zainapora constituency, where orchards suffered extensive damage. Growers said the storm struck within a short span of time but destroyed what represented an entire year's labour.
"This is not the usual weather for the monsoon season. We had already survived hailstorms and earlier gusty winds and thought those difficult days were behind us. But this fresh storm has shattered our hopes just weeks before harvesting," several growers told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Apple growers said the timing of the damage has made the losses even more severe as the fruit had almost reached its final stage of development.
"We have been nurturing these orchards for months with the hope of a good harvest. We invested heavily in sprays, fertilisers, irrigation and labour. Within a few hours, strong winds knocked down a large quantity of apples from our trees," said Ghulam Mohammad, a grower from Hermain.
An orchardist from Kaprin said several fruit-laden branches were broken due to the intensity of the winds.
"Our entire family's livelihood depends on apple cultivation. The fruit was almost ready, and we were expecting a good season. This unexpected calamity has left us devastated. We request the government to provide compensation at the earliest," he said.
Another grower from Kachdura said many orchardists had borrowed money to manage cultivation expenses.
"We have already spent lakhs on fertilizers, pesticides, labour and orchard maintenance. Much of that investment now appears to have gone in vain. Without financial support, it will be extremely difficult for many growers to recover," he said.
The orchardists said climate-related uncertainties have become increasingly frequent in recent years, with hailstorms, unseasonal rains and high-speed winds repeatedly affecting fruit production. They urged the government to strengthen crop insurance mechanisms and ensure that compensation reaches affected growers without delay.
MLA Zainapora Showkat Hussain Ganaie expressed deep concern over the losses suffered by orchardists and assured them of every possible support.
"I am deeply saddened by this natural calamity and stand with the affected growers in this hour of grief. I have directed the Horticulture Department to immediately conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damages. Every possible step will be taken to ensure that the affected orchardists receive appropriate compensation and assistance," Ganaie said.
The MLA described horticulture as the backbone of the local economy and said protecting the interests of apple growers remains a priority. He urged officials to complete the damage assessment on a war footing so that relief measures could be initiated without delay.
Former MLA Zainapora Aijaz Ahmad Mir also expressed solidarity with the affected farming community.
"This untimely natural calamity has dealt a heavy blow to our hardworking orchardists, whose livelihoods depend entirely on these crops," he said.
Mir said he stands firmly with the affected growers and urged the administration to conduct an immediate assessment of the losses and provide adequate compensation and relief without delay—(KNO)