Hailstorms devastate crops
Aatif Qayoom
Kupwara, May 24: A young man lost his life while another sustained injuries after lightning struck them during heavy rain and thunderstorms in Lolab area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday.
Officials said the incident took place in Chandigam village when severe weather conditions lashed the area. The two youths were hit by lightning amid heavy rainfall and thunder.
Both were shifted to Sub District Hospital Sogam for treatment. However, doctors declared one of them dead on arrival, while the injured youth was later referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara for advanced treatment.
The deceased has been identified as Abid Rahim Ganie, 23, son of Abdul Rahim Ganie, while the injured youth is Faizan Rahman Dar, 24, son of Abdul Rahman. Both belonged to Chandigam Lolab.
After completion of legal and medical formalities, the body of the deceased was handed over to his family for the last rites.
Meanwhile, a powerful hailstorm also caused widespread damage across several parts of Lolab Valley. Locals said orchards, vegetables and standing crops suffered heavy losses at a crucial stage of the farming season.
Residents described the hailstorm as one of the worst witnessed in recent years. An elderly villager said the intensity of the storm left farmers shocked as almost every crop in the area was damaged.
The locals urged the administration to immediately depute assessment teams to the affected villages and provide compensation to farmers facing huge losses.
