Srinagar, May 13: A sudden hailstorm and heavy rainfall have devastated apple orchards and standing crops across north and south Kashmir, triggering frantic calls for government intervention even as growers accused the administration of ignoring repeated pleas for insurance and loan waivers.
The storm, described by locals as the worst in years, hit Baramulla, Bandipora, Pattan, Tangmarg and parts of south Kashmir late Tuesday, with damage estimates ranging from 15 to 30 per cent, according to preliminary assessments.
“We have never witnessed this kind of hailstorm. It lasted for nearly half an hour and destroyed everything,” growers from Pattan village Kashmir Convener.
Fayaz Ahmad Malik, president of Asia’s second largest fruit mandi, told Kashmir Convener the horticulture sector—the backbone of Kashmir’s economy amid rising unemployment—has been left to fend for itself.
“We have been time and again urging governments to launch crop insurance and the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), besides waiving Kisan Credit Card loans up to Rs 3 lakh. But nobody is listening,” Malik said.
He pointed out that since 2014, growers have received no meaningful compensation despite recurring natural disasters. “Till now only estimates and survey teams have visited. Nothing concrete has happened. How will a grower survive? Is the government serious about us?”
Growers, however, remain unconvinced. Malik demanded immediate loan waivers and relief, warning that without urgent intervention, thousands of families face an uncertain future. “The government must intervene without further delay.”
For Ghulam Mohammed, a 65-year-old from Chanderseer village, the storm has wiped out his only source of income. “Our lives used to depend on it. Now nothing remains. Where should we go?”
Abdul Rashid Dar, 58, from Tangmarg I invested my entire savings in pesticides and labour this season. In just 30 minutes, everything turned to dust. Tell me, how do I feed my children for the next 12 months?
Showkat Ahmad Rather, from Sopore said this is not a storm. This is a death sentence for small growers. We are not asking for charity — we are asking for the insurance money we were promised years ago.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar conceded that orchards in Baramulla, Pattan and Tangmarg were among the worst affected.
“It is unfortunate that many orchards have been affected due to a natural disaster,” Dar said, adding that directions were issued overnight for preliminary damage assessments. “Officers are in the field. A complete report is expected by tomorrow. Compensation will be provided as per SDRF norms once the process is completed.”
The minister also said legislators from Baramulla—Javed Hassan Baig, Farooq Ahmad Shah and Riyaz Ahmad Bedar—met him Wednesday to discuss the situation.
On the long-pending demand for a weather-based crop insurance scheme, minister Dar said the process had reached its final stage but was delayed after the Government of India issued a revised insurance policy.
“The tendering process was completed, but the revised policy required changes in our framework. Apple and saffron in Kashmir, and mango and litchi in Jammu, have been included. We have kept a provision of around Rs 50 crore towards the premium from the government side,” he said, adding that bidding is nearing completion.
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