Hailstorms damage orchards, crops across Kashmir parts

Srinagar, May 2: A severe hailstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall damaged orchards and standing crops across several parts of Kashmir, including southern Kulgam and northern Kupwara and Baramulla districts, on Saturday, officials and locals said.
Farmers said that the sudden spell, marked by large hailstones and intense showers, struck during the afternoon, damaging apple blossoms and tender fruit at a crucial stage of the growing season. The losses are feared to impact overall yield this year, they said.
Residents have urged the administration to carry out an immediate assessment and provide compensation to affected growers.
Meanwhile, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir) issued a detailed advisory to help farmers minimise losses and prevent secondary infections in orchards and crops following the hailstorm.
The advisory, issued by its Directorate of Extension, stressed the need for immediate drainage of excess water to prevent waterlogging, which can cause root suffocation and increase the risk of fungal diseases.
Farmers have been asked to gently remove hail deposits and debris from trees to avoid bark injury and branch breakage. It also recommended pruning of damaged branches using clean tools, followed by application of protective pastes on cut surfaces to prevent pathogen entry. Partially uprooted trees should be repositioned and supported, it said.
Highlighting the risk of disease after hail injury, SKUAST-Kashmir advised growers to apply protective fungicide sprays once weather conditions improve. Specific formulations were suggested for apple at the fruitlet stage, as well as for other fruit crops such as cherry, peach, plum, apricot, grapes and pear, and for vegetables.
The advisory also recommended a follow-up nutritional spray, including urea solution after a few days, to promote recovery and new growth, along with micronutrient sprays later to aid tissue repair.
Farmers were advised to carry out spraying during cool and dry periods, avoid water stagnation, and maintain orchard sanitation by removing fallen leaves, fruits and twigs to reduce disease spread. (KNO)