Kashmir Impulse Desk

Rajouri, June 21

A prolonged hailstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall swept across several parts of Rajouri district on Sunday evening, disrupting daily activities and causing a sharp drop in temperatures in the Pir Panjal region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The hailstorm, which lasted for nearly one-and-a-half hours, affected a number of localities across the district, with residents reporting moderate but sustained hailfall accompanied by continuous rain.

The sudden weather change brought respite from the hot and humid conditions that had prevailed over recent days, as temperatures fell noticeably across the district.

However, the storm also caused temporary disruption to movement and outdoor activities, with hailstones accumulating in some areas and reducing visibility during the peak of the weather event.

Residents said normal life was briefly affected as people sought shelter from the hail and rain.

“The temperature dropped significantly within a short time. It provided relief from the heat but also disrupted routine activities,” a resident said.

The weather disturbance comes amid a period of increased atmospheric instability across J&K that has produced frequent thunderstorms, hailstorms and intense rainfall events in both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions.

Meteorological officials have attributed the changing weather conditions to active western disturbances interacting with moisture-laden winds over the region.

Such interactions have triggered repeated episodes of severe localised weather during recent weeks, including cloudbursts, flash floods and hailstorms in several districts.

Agricultural experts often express concern over hailstorms during the summer season because of their potential impact on standing crops, orchards and vegetable cultivation. However, officials had not yet released any assessment of crop damage resulting from Sunday’s weather event.

Local authorities said they were monitoring the situation and gathering information from affected areas.

The hailstorm followed a series of extreme weather incidents reported elsewhere in Jammu and Kashmir this month, including cloudbursts in parts of Anantnag, Kupwara, Gurez and several districts of Jammu division.

Weather officials have advised residents to remain alert during periods of intense weather activity and follow advisories issued by district administrations and disaster management authorities.

With the monsoon season approaching, experts expect intermittent spells of heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail in parts of the Union Territory, particularly in mountainous and vulnerable regions.

For many residents of Rajouri, Sunday’s hailstorm served as a reminder of the increasingly unpredictable weather patterns being witnessed across the Himalayan region, where sudden changes in atmospheric conditions are becoming more frequent.