Kashmir: Farmer cries as snowfall ruins apple-crops, video goes viral
What's the story
The untimely snowfall in Kashmir on Saturday has disrupted normalcy in the valley just as heavenly pictures of the valley took over social media. A video shows a farmer weeping as his Apple crops were destroyed by the snowfall. The clip has prompted many reactions on social media with almost everyone feeling sorry for the farmer who lost months of his work.
The loss
Harvested apples destroyed, losses could reach crores
The horticulture sector was worst hit after the snowfall as crops worth crores were damaged. "The upper reaches of fruit belts, particularly Shopian, Kulgam, and Pulwama, are yet to harvest the apples," said Ghulam Nabi Malik, General Secretary J&K Kisan Tehreek. He said the harvested apples are bound to get ruined and the losses could reach Rs. 1,000 crore.
Twitter Post
Famer cries his heart out as apples are ruined
Sir plz see this heart wrenching video, massive damage due to snow in south #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/DufDmZgm8S
— Umar Ganie (@UmarGanie1) November 4, 2018
Details
Everyone is feeling sorry for the farmers
The cries of this farmer disappointed many. On Twitter, @AdityaRajKaul wrote, "Sad to see this video from Keller in Shopian of South Kashmir. This is a farmer who owns an Apple orchard. Fresh heavy snowfall covered his entire orchard in white but also ruined the fresh produce of apples." Former chief minister Omar Abdullah urged the government to provide relief to the farmers.
The suffering
Snowfall caught locals off guard
Locals claimed this kind of snowfall happened for the first time in four decades and they were caught unprepared. Images from valley showed how locals were struggling. A picture showed a police constable carrying a truck driver after a rescue operation. Another traffic cop risked his life to rescue passengers stranded on Mughal Road at Pir ki Gali.
Twitter Post
Cops come to rescue of passengers
We appreciate this Jammu Kashmir Traffic Cop who risked his life to save stranded passengers on Historical Mughal Road shopian at Pir ki Gali where five feet snow accumulated. pic.twitter.com/X2D1u8tI4z
— JK Police (@JmuKmrPolice) November 4, 2018
Twitter Post
Normal life thrown out of gear in valley
This is what snowfall did to my #Apple Orchard.
— Saahil Suhail (@SaahilSuhail) November 4, 2018
Untimely snowfall creates havoc in #kashmir, damages properties, apple orchards, Overground electricity networks but thankfully no loss of life. @jandkgovernor kindly issue directions for assessment relief. pic.twitter.com/1IDuyMBfIZ
Information
Electricity restored after hours of blackout
The snowfall affected electricity. After hours of blackout, electricity was restored in 90% of Srinagar city on Sunday. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was opened for one way traffic on Sunday too. Nearly 700 people, who were stranded on both sides of Jawahar tunnel, were rescued.