Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 2 

A hailstorm swept through parts of south Kashmir’s Shopian and Kulgam districts on Saturday, raising concern among apple growers during a crucial stage of the crop cycle.

Farmers said the storm struck several apple-growing villages in the afternoon, lasting a few minutes but varying in intensity across areas.

“The hailstorm started at around 5 p.m. and lasted about three to five minutes,” said Javed Ahmad, an apple grower from Ramnagri in Shopian, adding that damage in his area appeared minimal.

Growers in Heerpora and Shopian town also reported little or no visible impact on orchards.

However, farmers in the Kandi belt of Kulgam said the hailstorm was more severe there, lasting around five to seven minutes and causing damage to apple orchards.

The latest spell comes weeks after a similar hailstorm on April 18 that caused significant losses to orchards in both districts during the flowering stage.

Farmers said repeated weather fluctuations – warm spells followed by sudden rain and hail – have increased anxiety over crop health and yield.

Apple cultivation is a key part of Kashmir’s rural economy, particularly in Shopian and Kulgam, where growers have urged authorities to assess losses and consider compensation as well as stronger crop insurance mechanisms.