Kulgam, April 20 -- In the wake of the devastating hailstorm that struck South Kashmir on April 18-19, Zaman Irshad Parray, the Jammu & Kashmir UT General Secretary of Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] and a practicing advocate at the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, has issued an urgent appeal to the administration for immediate compensation to affected farmers and a comprehensive strategy to tackle the recurring natural calamity.

The unseasonal hailstorm, which ravaged apple, almond, cherry, apricot, walnut, plum, and vegetable crops, caused severe damage across the districts of Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, and Anantnag. In Kulgam alone, over 58 villages including Kellar, Balpora, and Shirmal reported significant losses. The timing o...