Windstorm, heavy rains damage trees, houses in Sopore areas

Windstorm followed by heavy rains and hailstorm wreakedhavoc in parts of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday bydamaging trees and residential houses.

The storm caused extensive damage to standing crops andapple orchards mostly in Zaingeer belt including Mundji, Hardishiva, Takiyakhan, Duroo, Warpora, Janwara and other villages. Reports quoting locals saidthat heavy rain, strong winds and hailstorm lasted for half an hour. Ituprooted dozes of apple and willow trees and damaged rooftops of severalresidential houses.

The area has witnessed adverse weather several times duringpast week, adding to the worries of farmers, especially fruit growers.