Srinagar: Amid warming patterns, Forest fire, massive hailstorm, and flash floods due to a cloudburst wreaked havoc at several places in north Kashmir on Thursday, several residential houses and apple orchards were reportedly damaged.
As per reports, massive spells of hailstorm hit Haril, Mawar, Sanzipora, Qalamabad, Harvet, Ashpora Budbugh, Daribal Baala, Daribal Payeen, Shiekhpora, Terina, Audoora and several other adjacent villages in Kupwara district.
The hailstorm was coupled with torrential rains wreaking havoc on apple orchards and other standing crops.
Similar reports were received in the neighboring Baramulla district where the weather fury caused widespread damage to orchards and vegetation. The villages which however faced the maximum brunt included Noorkhah Boniyar and Gulmarg.
In the meantime, many houses were damaged in the aftermath of flash floods caused by a cloudburst at Bakhipora village of Rafiabad. There were however no immediate reports of any injury or loss of life in the particular incident.
Reports of hailstorm were also received from several places, including Garoora and Chatti Bandi in Bandipora district.
A forest fire also erupted due to lightning that blazed the Lachipora’s Compartment Number 46 and damaged several deodar trees.
A Fire and Emergency Department was sent to extinguish the fire at the site. “Several trees have suffered damage in the fire so far, BFO Sanzipora Bashir Ahmad Wani said.
“Efforts are on to put it out as soon as possible to avoid the spread of flames,” he said.
(GNS)