Violent hailstorm in the fruit growing district of Saluzzese.

The flow of unstable air, which until this morning has caused widespread storms throughout the region, yesterday evening around 10 pm caused a violent hailstorm in the fruit areas of Saluzzo, Lagnasco and Manta causing serious damage to orchards, vegetable gardens, arable land and also to the structures.

The storm , with ice formations as big as eggs, literally stripped the crops, also breaking through the hail nets. " In most cases - comments the director of Confagricoltura Piemonte Ercole Zuccaro - this year's harvest is completely lost: many branches are broken, with the risk of compromising production also next year. Even for less damaged orchards, given the advanced phenological phase of the plants, in many cases already in pre-ripening, this year's production is lost, at least from a qualitative point of view ".

The technicians of Confagricoltura have already started the survey of the damages, which in addition to the orchards, vegetable gardens and arable land also concern greenhouses and agricultural plants. " We are already in contact with the technicians of the Region - said the president of Confagricoltura Piemonte Enrico Allasia - and in a short time we will provide all the useful information to proceed with the delimitation of the damaged areas and the subsequent request to the Government of the state of disaster ".