SRINAGAR: A severe hailstorm hit several parts of Kashmir on Thursday evening, damaging standing crops and orchards and disrupting traffic and normal activity, with Bandipora district in north Kashmir reported to be among the worst-affected areas.
Residents said the hailstorm was unusually intense, with large quantities of hail covering the ground within minutes in some areas. Gusty winds accompanied the hail in several locations, raising concerns among farmers over possible damage to standing crops and fruit orchards.
Traffic movement was also affected during the storm, residents said.
Heavy hail and strong winds were reported from parts of Ganderbal, Baramulla and Kupwara districts. In Kupwara, hail and heavy rain reportedly affected paddy fields and apple orchards, while crop damage was also reported from parts of Ganderbal.
Rain was recorded in several other areas of Jammu and Kashmir, with cloudy conditions prevailing over much of the region.
The extent of damage to crops and orchards in Bandipora, Kupwara and Ganderbal had not been officially assessed by Thursday evening, and district-wise loss estimates were not immediately available.
The Meteorological Centre said Jammu and Kashmir is likely to receive light rain at scattered places over the next two days, with the possibility of light snowfall over higher reaches.
According to the weather office, partly to generally cloudy conditions are expected on October 9 and 10, while generally dry weather is likely on October 11 and 12. A brief spell of light rain may occur at a few places towards the evening of October 9, with another spell possible towards the evening or night of October 13.
Generally cloudy conditions, accompanied by light rain, light snowfall over higher reaches, thunderstorms and gusty winds, are expected at many places on October 14 and 15. The weather is forecast to remain generally dry from October 16 to 18.
The Meteorological Centre has advised farmers to continue harvesting operations and ensure the safe storage of harvested apples and paddy.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 28.2°C, around four degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature was 10.9°C, 3.4 degrees above normal, according to weather data.
Jammu recorded a maximum of 31.5°C and a minimum of 20°C. Pahalgam registered a maximum temperature of 23.6°C and a minimum of 6°C, while Gulmarg recorded 19°C as the maximum and 6°C as the minimum.
