Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 18
Hailstorms damaged apple orchards and other standing crops in parts of Shopian and Anantnag districts in south Kashmir on Friday, farmers said.
An intense hailstorm hit Melhoura village in Shopian at around 6 pm, damaging apples shortly before farmers were due to begin harvesting early varieties.
Farmers in Walarhama and Kullar villages near Pahalgam in Anantnag also reported hail damage to apples and vegetables.
The extent of the losses was still being assessed, farmers and local authorities said.
The latest storm comes after several villages in Shopian reported damage from hail and strong winds last month, with some farmers estimating losses of more than 90 percent.
Growers are also facing pressure from rising arrivals in wholesale markets, with farmers concerned that hail-damaged fruit could be downgraded and fetch lower prices.
