Srinagar, May 22: Widespread hailstorms accompanied by intense rainfall lashed several parts of south and north Kashmir on Friday, causing extensive damage to apple orchards, vegetables and other standing crops, and leaving growers devastated during the crucial fruit development stage.
The fresh spell of hailstorms affected several villages in Shopian, Tral, Baramulla and other areas, further worsening the crisis for orchardists already struggling with repeated weather-related losses this season.
In south Kashmir’s Shopian district, villages including Pinjora, Largam, Gagren and Kanipora witnessed heavy hailstorm activity during the wee hours of Friday. Growers said the hailstorm lasted for nearly 10 to 15 minutes, damaging hundreds of apple orchards across the plains of the district.
Farmers said pea-sized hailstones struck orchards at a sensitive stage when fruit formation had just begun, causing visible injury to apple fruitlets, leaves and branches.
“We have suffered major losses once again. The hailstorm came suddenly and within minutes damaged orchards spread over several kanals,” said Fayaz Ahmad, an orchardist from Largam village. “The fruit and leaves have been badly hit. This season has become extremely difficult for growers.”
Preliminary estimates suggest around 15 to 20 per cent damage to the fruit in affected areas, though the actual losses are yet to be assessed fully.
“This is the fourth hailstorm in the Shopian district this season. Repeated weather shocks are breaking the backbone of orchardists,” said Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, a fruit grower. “Growers are already under financial stress, and such calamities are pushing them towards collapse.”
Several orchardists claimed the actual damage in some areas could range between 25 and 30 per cent.
A heavy hailstorm was also reported from Nagbal, Zaradihar, Machama, Mandoora, Panner Jageer and adjoining areas of Tral in Pulwama district, where apple blossoms and vegetable fields suffered extensive damage.
“We have never witnessed this kind of hailstorm. It continued for nearly half an hour and destroyed everything,” said a fruit grower from Tral. “Our entire livelihood depends on horticulture. If crops keep getting damaged like this, how will growers survive?”
Another grower said repeated losses have shattered hopes of a stable harvest this year. “Our lives used to depend on orchards, but now nothing remains secure. We don’t know whom to approach for help,” he said.
Reports of hailstorm damage also poured in from several parts of north Kashmir, including Baramulla district, where intense evening storms damaged orchards and standing crops on Friday.
Growers across Kashmir expressed anger over what they termed the government’s failure to introduce long-pending crop protection measures despite recurring natural calamities.
They said repeated appeals for implementation of a comprehensive crop insurance scheme, Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), and waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans up to Rs 3 lakh have gone unheard for years.
“We have repeatedly demanded crop insurance and loan waivers, but nobody is listening to us,” said an orchardist from Shopian. “Every year, hailstorms, untimely rains and market distress destroy our crops, yet growers are left to suffer alone.”
Farmers said the horticulture sector remains the backbone of Kashmir’s economy at a time when unemployment continues to rise. “Agriculture and horticulture are the only sectors sustaining thousands of families in Kashmir. If the government is serious about protecting livelihoods, it must safeguard this sector,” another grower said.
The affected orchardists alleged that despite repeated disasters since 2014, growers have received neither adequate compensation nor any meaningful relief package. “Survey teams visit affected areas every time, estimates are prepared, but nothing concrete happens on the ground,” growers said. “The government must immediately announce compensation and waive loans to help orchardists recover.”
Experts warned that repeated hailstorms during flowering and early fruit formation stages can severely impact fruit recovery, quality and overall yield.
Mukhtar Ahmad, an expert from the Horticulture Department, said immediate fungicide spray is necessary in hail-affected orchards to prevent fungal infections and secondary diseases.
“We have advised growers to spray recommended fungicides immediately after hailstorm damage. After three days, a 0.2 per cent urea spray can help partially damaged crops recover,” he said.
He further advised orchardists to maintain proper drainage, avoid immediate pruning after a hailstorm, and ensure balanced nutrition and adequate air circulation in orchards to support recovery.
“Regular monitoring of orchards becomes extremely important after such weather events,” the expert added.
Notably, Kashmir has witnessed multiple hailstorms this season, causing widespread damage across orchard belts.
The first major hailstorm struck on April 6, affecting several villages in Shopian and Kulgam districts, including Feeripora, Mandujan, Pudsoo, Saidpora and DH Pora, while hilly areas of Bandipora also reported damage.
Another severe hailstorm on May 2 affected parts of Kulgam, Shopian, Kupwara and Baramulla, followed by fresh weather disturbances on May 12 and May 13 that again damaged orchards and vegetable crops in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts. (KNO)
