Hailstorm hits apple belt in south Kashmir

Shopian, May 2: A hailstorm swept across several apple-growing villages in south Kashmir’s Shopian and Kulgam districts on Saturday, raising concerns among growers already grappling with erratic weather this season.

“The hailstorm started at around 5 pm. and lasted for about three to five minutes,” said Farooq Ahmad, an apple grower from Ramnagri, adding that the impact on orchards in the area was minimal.

Farmers from Heerpora and Shopian town also reported little to no damage to their crops.

However, in neighbouringKulgam district, the Kund belt witnessed a more intense spell of hail. Growers said the storm lasted for around five to seven minutes and caused damage to apple orchards in the area.

The latest spell comes weeks after a similar hailstorm on April 18 caused significant damage to orchards in both districts, particularly at a time when most trees were in the flowering stage.

Farmers said the back-to-back weather events have heightened anxiety, with unseasonal warmth followed by a sudden drop in temperatures and rainfall affecting crop health.

“We are already dealing with unpredictable weather, and such events only add to our worries,” said a grower in Kulgam.

They also pointed to the absence of a robust crop insurance mechanism, saying it leaves them exposed to financial losses.

“We have no safety net. Any damage at this stage directly impacts our earnings for the entire year,” another farmer said.

Apple cultivation forms a key part of Kashmir’s economy, especially in districts like Shopian and Kulgam. Growers have urged authorities to assess the extent of damage and provide compensation, while calling for effective crop insurance schemes to protect them from increasingly frequent weather-related shocks.