Dehradun, Oct 9 (PTI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami diverted his helicopter to hailstorm-hit Bazpur on Friday to assess crop damage, as severe hailstorms battered parts of Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar districts, damaging agricultural produce and causing losses to residents.
Dhami was returning to Dehradun from Haldwani when he received information about the hailstorm and the damage it had caused in Bazpur, in Udham Singh Nagar district, around noon.
Despite the inclement weather, he diverted his helicopter to the affected area, where he first surveyed the damage from the air before inspecting it on the ground.
The chief minister met affected farmers, enquired about the damage to their crops and heard their grievances.
He assured them of all possible assistance and directed officials to immediately conduct a detailed survey of crop damage, assess the losses and ensure relief measures for farmers within a stipulated time frame.
Dhami said the state government stood firmly with farmers and would act with sensitivity during the natural calamity.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former chief minister Harish Rawat urged the state government to assess the damage caused by the hailstorm in Haridwar and other parts of Uttarakhand and provide appropriate compensation and assistance to those affected.
In a social media post, Rawat said severe hailstorms had struck several parts of the state, including Haridwar, on Friday, damaging crops and vegetables. He added that the hailstorm had also shattered windowpanes of vehicles and houses, besides causing other losses to residents.
Rawat demanded a proper assessment of the damage and adequate compensation for those who had suffered significant losses.
“The government should conduct a proper survey and provide appropriate compensation and assistance to those who have suffered significant damage,” he said. PTI SPY SPY NB
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