Devastating Hailstorm and Flash Floods Ravage South Kashmir, MeT Issues 5-Day Alert

Srinagar : A violent spell of severe hailstorm accompanied by torrential downpours and gusty winds swept across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, causing catastrophic damage to fruit orchards in South Kashmir and triggering localized flash floods.
Reports said that in Pahalgam, an intense rain spell caused the Awoora Nallah to overflow, washing away a makeshift access road. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an urgent warning for heavy rainfall, mudslides, and flash floods across vulnerable districts, forecasting continued precipitation over the next five days.
Affected orchardists in Shopian and Kulgam reported catastrophic losses just weeks ahead of the primary harvest. Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-Cum-Dealers Union expressed deep concern, noting the lack of an active Crop Insurance Scheme in the Union Territory and demanding an immediate, comprehensive government survey to ensure meaningful compensation.
“It was nothing less than a doomsday for us. We have lost almost everything on which our families depend. We spend the entire year working in our orchards and wait for the harvest, but within a short spell of hail and strong winds, our hopes have been shattered,” said an orchardist from Shopian.
“Last year, we suffered because of the highway closure and the difficulties in transporting our produce. This year, before we could recover from those losses, nature has struck us again. We do not know how we will manage our families and repay the money spent on our orchards,” shared another grower.
“We watch helplessly as apples fell from the trees. The hailstones damaged the fruit and the winds shook the trees violently. We had invested heavily in the orchards, but everything has been destroyed in minutes,” stated a local resident.
“Giving us Rs 2000 or 4000 after losing an entire year’s income would be like adding insult to injury. We need meaningful compensation based on the actual loss. We have spent lakhs on our orchards and now the entire crop is damaged,” expressed an affected grower.
“We are not asking for charity. We are asking for support after losing the crop because of a natural calamity. The government must stand with farmers in this difficult situation and ensure that no affected family is left without assistance,” urged the orchardists.