Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 6

A sudden hailstorm swept through parts of south Kashmir on Monday, damaging apple orchards at a critical stage of development and raising concerns about a sharp decline in this year’s harvest.

The storm, which lasted about 20 minutes, struck several villages in Shopian and Kulgam districts, including Feeripora, Mandujan, DH Pora and Manzgam, flattening blossoms that are essential for fruit formation.

Growers said the timing of the storm during the flowering phase could have lasting consequences. 

The stage is considered crucial for determining yield, and damage to blossoms often leads to reduced fruit set.

“This is the most important phase for the crop,” said an orchardist in Shopian. “Once the flowers are destroyed, recovery is very difficult.”

Farmers in the affected areas described widespread losses, with some estimating that a large share of blossoms had been damaged. 

In parts of Kulgam, growers said the storm’s intensity could affect not only this season’s output but potentially the next as well.

Apple cultivation is a cornerstone of the region’s economy, and erratic weather events have increasingly added to the uncertainty faced by orchardists. 

Many said they had been expecting a strong season before the storm struck.

The growers have appealed to the government to conduct a prompt assessment of the damage and provide financial assistance to offset their losses.

Horticulture experts said hailstorms at the flowering stage can have a severe impact on production, noting that even if weather conditions improve in the coming weeks, the loss of blossoms significantly limits the potential for recovery.

The latest episode adds to concerns among farmers about climate variability and rising costs, both of which have made agricultural livelihoods more precarious in recent years.