{"id":199484,"date":"2026-05-03T09:19:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T04:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kmsnews.org\/kms\/?p=199484"},"modified":"2026-05-03T09:19:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T04:19:15","slug":"fresh-hailstorm-hits-south-kashmir-apple-belt-farmers-seek-crop-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kmsnews.org\/kms\/2026\/05\/03\/fresh-hailstorm-hits-south-kashmir-apple-belt-farmers-seek-crop-insurance.html","title":{"rendered":"Fresh hailstorm hits South Kashmir apple belt, farmers seek crop insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Srinagar: A hailstorm struck apple-growing villages in Shopian and Kulgam districts, adding to worries of growers already facing erratic weather this season.<\/p>\n

According to Kashmir Media Service, the storm lasted 3\u20135 minutes in Shopian\u2019s Ramnagri, Heerpora and town areas with minimal damage, farmers said. However, Kulgam\u2019s Kund belt saw a 5\u20137 minute spell that damaged orchards.<\/p>\n

This follows an April 18 hailstorm that hit flowering trees hard in both districts. \u201cBack-to-back weather events are increasing anxiety,\u201d said a Kulgam grower, citing unseasonal warmth, sudden cold, and rain.<\/p>\n

With no crop insurance safety net, farmers fear major financial losses. \u201cAny damage now impacts our whole year\u2019s earnings,\u201d one said.<\/p>\n

Apple farming is vital to Kashmir\u2019s economy. Growers urged authorities to assess losses, provide compensation, and introduce effective crop insurance to shield them from frequent weather shocks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Srinagar: A hailstorm struck apple-growing villages in Shopian and Kulgam districts, adding to worries of growers already facing erratic weather this season. According to Kashmir Media Service, the storm lasted 3\u20135 minutes in Shopian\u2019s Ramnagri, Heerpora and town areas with minimal damage, farmers said. However, Kulgam\u2019s Kund belt saw a 5\u20137 minute spell that damaged …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":199485,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-199484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indian-occupied-jammu-and-kashmir"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t