Sakeena tours hailstorm affected villages of Kulgam
21/08/2026
KULGAM, AUG 20: Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today conducted an extensive tour of villages of Kulgam to assess the damage caused to orchards due to adverse weather conditions during the current season.
The Minister visited several affected villages including Harvaith, Nihama, Samnoo, Gopalpora, Lakhdipora, Tengam, Bathipora and Chogalpora.
She was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, SDM Noorabad Bashir ul Hassan, Tehsildar D.H. Pora Zahid Ahmad, Chief Horticulture Officer Kulgam Mohd. Ramzan War and other officers of the Horticulture Department besides other officers and officials of the district administration.
During the visit, Sakeena Itoo interacted with the fruit growers, inspected the orchards and had detailed feedback regarding the losses suffered by the farming community.
The growers apprised her of the severity of damage to fruit crops, defoliation and damage to fruit-bearing trees following repeated spells of hailstorm and high-velocity winds.
The Deputy Commissioner briefed the Minister about the damage reported from different areas of the district and the measures undertaken by the district administration for damage assessment and relief.
The Chief Horticulture Officer informed the Minister that the preliminary assessment of the damage has already been submitted to the concerned authorities. Besides, village-wise and asam-e -wise details of the losses are being compiled to facilitate further action as per the applicable norms under SDRF/UT norms, he added.
The Minister expressed solidarity with the affected growers and said that horticulture is the backbone of Kashmir's economy and the government fully understands the distress of the farming community. She assured the affected farmers that all possible assistance and relief would be extended to the eligible beneficiaries under the applicable rules and provisions. She informed that the matter has been taken up at the appropriate level for redress.
On long-term preventive measures, the Chief Horticulture Officer apprised the Minister of the importance of anti-hail nets in protecting the orchards from recurring weather-related damage. He urged the farmers to adopt anti-hail nets, for which the government is providing substantial subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and other applicable schemes.
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