Hailstorms Damage Apple Harvest in Shopian, Kashmir
Hailstorms Damage Apple Harvest in Shopian, Kashmir
IN · Published Oct 13, 2026
• Multiple spells of hailstorms have caused significant damage to apple orchards in Shopian, a major apple-producing district in south Kashmir.
• Since April, dozens of villages, including Ganowpora, Kanipora, and Heerpora, have been repeatedly hit, leaving orchardists with losses exceeding 60% in some areas.

Impact & Risks

The hailstorms have severely affected apple growers in Shopian, with some villages reporting losses of over 70%. The downgrade of apples to lower-grade quality is expected to significantly reduce market prices, impacting the livelihoods of farming families and others dependent on the trade. Visible damage to the fruit has made it harder for growers to recoup input costs, adding financial strain during a critical agricultural period. The widespread damage across orchards highlights the vulnerability of the region's apple industry to extreme weather events.

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