Untimely Snowfall Damages Apple Orchards In Pulwama, Shopian

Advisor Farooq Khan directs DG Horticulture to asses the damage of trees and fruits

5 Dariya News (Mudasir Maqbool)

Shopian 23-Oct-2021

Untimely Season's First Snowfall in South Kashmir’s Upper hilly area's of Pulwama and Shopian reportedly Damaged Apple trees and fruits plugging the local people into gloom on Satarday. The Local  MET (Metrological department)department Srinagar had already issued weather Advisory that a western Disturbance will enter into jammu and Kashmir and a wet spell will begin from 23, 24 October where upper areas will recieve light to moderate snowfall and Plain's will recieve moderate rainfall and its peak stage will be on 23 Oct. Distress calls recieved from Shopian's Sedow ,Keller Reshnagar and adjacent hamlets and in Pulwama's Abhama, Sangerwani and its neighbouring villages have suffered damage in the ongoing snowfall, starting on Friday night. They told the twigs and branches of apple trees have broken and fruit yet to be harvested by the orchardists due to this untimely Snowfall the trimming of trees are yet to be done which caused lot of damage to these trees a local said, Orchadists said as the apple orchards are their only source for livelihood. A tree takes two decades to mature and the snowfall has ruined our hard work of years.’’ Another orchadist said that he has lost of apple trees and the turnover he would receive from these apple trees. 

Farmers of the valley being engage from past two days in fields to complete harvest session but climatic condtions turn their fields in ponds bit it natur's choice what can we do said, locals. The Jammu and Kashmir Administration activated and Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Ahmad Khan has directed Director General Horticulture to personally supervise the assessment process and loss to orchards and fruits  and depute field staff in these affected and asses the exact detail without fail and furnish report recommendations. In a tweet DG Horticulture Ajaz Ahmad Bhat tweeted , Onway to shopain along with my Technical team to assess situation & losses in orchards. DG Horticulture visits various places of District Pulwama and Shopian where he visited various orchards particularly the most affected areas of District Shopian viz. Zawora, Badrihama, Pinjora, Aglar, Balpora, Kanipora, Ganapora, Shirmal, Keegam, Kellar etc. He was accompanied by Joint Director Horticulture, Kashmir and concerned Chief Horticulture officers along with field functionaries. He advised the farmers to continuously monitor their orchards and shake the trees regularly, so that the snow does not get accumulated on the trees. Aharbal, Pahalgam, Shopian, Pulwama Gets Season’s First Snowfall. South kashmir witnessed the first snowfall of the season, many of them took to social media to share mesmerising videos and pictures of the snow-clad regions. Season’s first snowfall, signalling the beginning of the winter in the state. In North Kashmir Gulmarg witnessed heavy snowfall bringing cheer to tourists visiting worlds famous skiing palce. Gurez also witnessed seasons fresh snow fall.