Repeated hailstorms ravage orchards, crops across Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 22: Fresh hailstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall lashed several parts of south Kashmir on Monday, causing extensive damage to apple orchards, vegetable crops, and other standing agricultural fields. This has further deepened concerns among farmers already reeling from repeated weather-related losses this season.
According to reports, Shangus, Sheikhgund, Wangam, Krad and adjoining villages in Anantnag district were stuck with severe hailstorm this afternoon, damaging crops across large stretches of agricultural land.
Residents said the sudden weather disturbance left farmers worried about the fate of their produce and appealed to the administration to immediately assess the losses and extend relief to affected families.
In Tral’s Aripal belt, including Satora and surrounding villages, heavy hailstorm activity continued for a considerable period, pelting orchards and farmlands with large hailstones. Residents reported significant damage to apple orchards, vegetable fields and other standing crops. Orchard owners said the hailstones bruised young apples and damaged tree foliage, which could adversely affect both the quality and quantity of the harvest this year.
“Many farmers had pinned their hopes on a good season after months of hard work. However, the sudden hailstorm has caused substantial losses and left growers anxious about their livelihoods,” said a local orchardist from the area.
Similar reports emerged from Buchroo in Kulgam district, where heavy rainfall accompanied by hailstorm activity damaged crops and triggered concern among farming communities. Residents expressed fears that recurring extreme weather events could severely impact agricultural production and household incomes in the region.
The latest spell of hailstorms comes amid a worrying trend of frequent weather disturbances across Kashmir. Over the past several weeks, multiple districts, particularly in south Kashmir, have witnessed repeated hailstorms that have left thousands of orchardists and farmers counting losses. The recurring incidents have raised concerns about the increasing vulnerability of Kashmir’s horticulture sector to erratic weather patterns.
Horticulture remains the backbone of the rural economy in large parts of Kashmir, with apple cultivation providing livelihood support to thousands of families. Growers say repeated hailstorms not only reduce fruit production but also affect fruit quality, forcing them to sell their produce at lower market rates.
Farmers and residents from the affected areas have urged the administration to immediately deploy revenue and horticulture department teams for a comprehensive damage assessment. They have also demanded adequate compensation and long-term measures such as subsidised hail-protection nets to safeguard orchards from recurring weather-related disasters.
They have demanded the immediate implementation of the crop insurance scheme in the UT. (KNO)