"This was going to be a good season," said Mohd Younus, an orchardist from Malwan. "But the hailstorm has shattered our hopes. Entire fields are ruined."

Hailstorm Causes Widespread Damage to Orchards in Kulgam District

Kulgam, April 19, 2025 – A sudden and intense hailstorm swept through several areas of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday, causing widespread destruction to fruit orchards and plunging the local farming community into distress.

The unexpected hailstorm, which lasted only a few minutes, struck with severe intensity, affecting regions including Noorabad, Gudder, Pranhal, Ashmuji, the main market Kulgam, Malwan,Khaloora, Banimulla, Laisoo and  Behibhag. According to orchardists and local residents, the storm damaged a significant portion of blossoming fruit trees, particularly apple and cherry crops that were in their early flowering stages.

Local growers are now urging the district administration to immediately assess the losses and initiate relief measures. They have also called for compensation, crop insurance assistance, and long-term preventive strategies to mitigate such unexpected weather events in the future.