Shopian, May 30 (KNO): A fresh spell of hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds and rain wreaked havoc across several parts of south Kashmir on Saturday evening, causing damage to apple orchards and further aggravating the distress of fruit growers already reeling from repeated weather-related losses this season.
The hailstorm lashed several areas of Shopian district, including the main town, Batpora, Meemander, Ramnagri and adjoining villages, besides affecting Arihal and nearby areas of Pulwama district. Large hailstones pounded orchards for several minutes, damaging tender apple fruit, bruising leaves and snapping branches laden with developing fruit.
Orchardists told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the storm struck at a crucial stage of fruit development when apple crops are highly vulnerable to physical damage, raising fears of a substantial decline in both fruit quality and overall production.
"We were hoping for a good season after the earlier weather disturbances, but today's hailstorm has once again shattered our expectations," said Ghulam Mohammad, an orchardist from Meemander. "The hailstones were unusually large and intense. Many immature apples have fallen from the trees, while branches have broken under the impact."
Fruit growers from Batpora and surrounding villages reported that the storm lasted several minutes and caused extensive damage in a short span of time.
"The crop was looking healthy where earlier hailstorms hadn't hit, and growers had invested heavily in sprays, fertilisers, and orchard management this year. Within minutes, nature has undone months of hard work," said another orchardist from Batpora. "Many apples have suffered direct injury, which will affect their market value even if they survive."
The latest hailstorm comes barely days after a similar weather event damaged orchards in several parts of Kashmir, leaving growers worried about the future of the horticulture sector, which forms the backbone of the Valley's rural economy.
In Arihal area of Pulwama, farmers said hailstones battered orchards and vegetable fields, causing fresh losses to already stressed farming communities.
"Our livelihood depends entirely on horticulture. Every year, we face either hailstorms, untimely rains or market-related challenges. This season has become particularly difficult because weather disturbances are occurring repeatedly," said an orchard owner.
Growers said recurring hailstorms have created an atmosphere of uncertainty among farming families who rely on apple cultivation as their primary source of income.
"The horticulture sector sustains thousands of households across Kashmir. Repeated natural calamities are pushing growers towards financial hardship. Many farmers have taken loans for orchard maintenance and now fear they may not be able to recover their investments," said Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, a fruit grower from Shopian.
The fresh damage has revived long-pending demands for the implementation of a comprehensive crop insurance scheme and financial relief measures for affected orchardists.
"We have been demanding crop insurance and compensation for years. Every time a disaster strikes, assessment teams visit our orchards, but meaningful relief rarely reaches growers," said Fayaz Ahmad, another orchardist. "The government must announce immediate compensation and introduce a practical insurance mechanism to protect farmers from recurring losses."
Horticulture experts said repeated hailstorms during the early fruit formation stage can significantly affect yield, fruit quality and orchard productivity.
They said growers should immediately spray recommended fungicides in hail-affected orchards to prevent fungal infections and secondary diseases. They advise maintaining proper drainage, avoiding immediate pruning and ensuring balanced nutrition to help damaged trees recover.
Kashmir has witnessed multiple hailstorms during the current season. Major weather events in April and May caused extensive damage to orchards in Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts, resulting in significant losses to the horticulture sector.
Orchardists said the weather has become increasingly unpredictable. If timely support is not provided, many growers may find it difficult to sustain their orchards and continue farming, they said, urging government intervention—(KNO)