Rafiabad, May 22: A sudden and severe hailstorm has caused widespread damage to apple orchards in Chijhama Rafiabad, leaving growers facing extensive crop losses and urgent financial hardship. Tasleema Akhter, Chairperson of the ATVK, urged state and local authorities to act quickly to provide relief and compensation to affected farmers.
The storm struck without significant warning, battering trees and fruit across multiple orchards and reducing this season’s harvest prospects. Early assessments from growers and local agricultural workers indicate large-scale fruit loss, broken branches, and damaged young trees that could impact yields for years. Smallholder farmers and orchard laborers, already operating on thin margins, say the damage threatens livelihoods and local food supply chains.
“Seeing acres of trees and fruit destroyed overnight has been heartbreaking,” said Tasleema Akhter, Chairperson of the ATVK. “These growers need immediate support — cash relief to cover urgent expenses, rapid assessment for fair compensation, and practical help to salvage what they can. Without swift government response, many families could face ruin.”
Local growers have appealed to the government for emergency aid, requesting fast-tracked compensation, subsidized inputs for replanting, and access to low-interest recovery loans. They also seek technical assistance for pruning and disease prevention to reduce longer-term losses following hail damage. The ATVK has offered to coordinate local relief efforts, gather damage reports, and assist authorities with outreach to affected communities.