As hailstorm hits South Kashmir again, growers demand compensation, CIS implementation

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: In yet another weather-related setback to Kashmir’s horticulture sector, the hailstorm on Monday afternoon wreaked havoc in Chitragam area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district and Tral area of Pulwama district, flattening apple orchards and compounding the worries of already distressed fruit growers.

This fresh inclement weather conditions comes just days after similar hailstorms struck Sedow-Hirpora belt in Shopian, and DH Pora area of neighbouring Kulgam district.

The hailstorm hit the region during a crucial stage of apple development, leading to extensive crop damage and triggering renewed appeals from growers for immediate government support.

Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), growers said that despite repeated losses over the years due to unpredictable weather, they have received little to no compensation or structural protection.

“The storm was merciless,” said Nazim Ahmad, an orchardist from Shopian. “Our apples suffered damage earlier and now again due to hailstorm. We invest lakhs every year in fertilizers, pesticides and labor, only to suffer heavy losses without any meaningful support.”

Orchardists across Shopian urged the government to introduce a comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme to safeguard their livelihoods. They said they are even ready to pay premiums annually if it means they would be fairly compensated during calamities.

“We are not seeking charity,” said another grower. “We are ready to pay for insurance. But the government must act now. It is heartbreaking to watch your entire effort turn to waste in a single evening.”

Adding to their woes, many growers also called for loan interest waivers in hailstorm-hit areas, saying the pressure of debts amid repeated losses is pushing them to the brink.

“The absence of a crop insurance scheme has turned a natural disaster into a human crisis,” said a member of the local fruit growers’ association. “Over 8 lakh families in Jammu and Kashmir depend directly or indirectly on horticulture. The sector contributes nearly 10% to the UT’s GDP. The government must respond immediately and meaningfully.”

Growers also urged the administration to deploy damage assessment teams from SKUAST-Kashmir and the Department of Horticulture and to ensure adequate compensation to the affected growers.

“This is not the first time we are pleading,” said another grower. “If the government fails to act now, the backbone of Kashmir’s economy might snap under the pressure — along with the hopes and livelihoods of lakhs.”

The distressed growers have sought immediate intervention from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, hoping that the administration will finally turn its promises into concrete action.

Meanwhile, similar reports of losses were reported from Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district due to the hailstorm. —(KNO)