Srinagar, Jun 2: At least two people lost their lives in separate weather-related incidents while dozens of villages across Jammu and Kashmir reported severe damage to orchards and farmlands on Tuesday.
An official spokesman said that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is closely monitoring the situation risen due to the flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in Kishtwar and Doda.
The spokesman said that the LG has spoken to the Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts and directed them to remain on high alert and swiftly restore essential amenities.
The LG posted on X: “Spoke with Deputy Commissioners of Kishtwar&Doda regarding the flash floods caused by heavy rainfall. Fortunately, no loss of life or property damage has been reported. Emergency response teams have been directed to remain on high alert and continuously monitor the situation. I’ve directed both the DCs of Kishtwar and Doda to swiftly restore roads, highways, and water pipelines. Field staff and specialised medical teams are on high alert, and damage assessments will begin as soon as field verification is complete. My sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Pinki Devi from KhuddharDoda, who tragically passed away due to a lightning strike. The Deputy Commissioner of Doda has been directed to provide immediate relief and assistance to the family.”
KHALID GUL REPORTS FROM ANANTNAG
A man died and his wife was critically injured after a large tree was uprooted by gusty winds and fell on them in Anantnag town on Tuesday evening.
The incident occurred along the busy JanglatMandi-Lal Chowk road when strong winds brought down an old poplar tree on a couple walking nearby.
“The couple was walking along the roadside when the tree was uprooted due to gusty winds and fell on them, causing serious injuries,” an official said.
Both were rushed to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, where one of the injured, identified as Muhamad RafiqKujwal of BrariAnganShangus, was declared dead.
His wife, Marina, remains critically injured, officials said.
The fallen tree also damaged several parked vehicles and disrupted traffic on the key road leading to GMC Anantnag.
Police, emergency teams, municipal authorities, and locals later cleared the road and restored movement.
Locals expressed concern over the risk posed by aging trees along busy roads.
“We have repeatedly requested authorities to assess old trees from JanglatMandi to Donipawa and JanglatMandi to Achajipora and remove those that pose danger,” said Bashir Ahmad Najar, a local trade body representative.
Officials said they are reviewing the circumstances.
The Meteorological Department had earlier forecast rain, thundershowers, and gusty winds, advising people to avoid old trees, loose structures, electric poles and overhead wires during storm activity.
It also urged suspension of boating and shikara rides in Dal Lake and nearby water bodies during adverse weather.
Meanwhile, a fresh hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain lashed several parts of south Kashmir, inflicting extensive damage on apple orchards and crops at a crucial stage of the growing season, farmers said.
In Kulgam district, Kader, Khee-Jogipora, and adjoining villages reported heavy hail damage.
“The hailstorm lasted several minutes and again damaged apple orchards and standing crops. This is the third time our area has been hit,” said fruit grower Abdul Rashid.
In Tral’s Aripal and Hundoora areas, farmers reported similar destruction within minutes of the storm.
“Months of hard work were washed away in minutes,” said a local orchardist, Ajaz Ahmad.
In the Kuthar-Shangus belt in Anantnag, including Bremmer, Nursar and Chaklipora, orchardists said the hailstorm lasted nearly 10 minutes and severely damaged fruit-bearing trees.
“More than 40 percent of the crop has been damaged,” said orchardist Ghulam Ahmad.
Damage was also reported from Shopian, Pampore including Khrew, Shar-i-Shali and Kakapora-Pulwama, as well as villages along the Bijbehara–Pahalgam belt including Kathsoo, Sallar and adjoining areas.
Farmers said repeated hailstorms over the past two months have devastated apple-producing regions across Kashmir, with losses estimated between 50 and 80 percent in several areas.
The apple sector, a key pillar of Kashmir’s economy, is increasingly under strain due to erratic weather patterns.
Growers also expressed frustration over delays in implementing the long-promised crop insurance scheme.
“Small and marginal farmers have taken Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans to buy fertilizers and pesticides. After repeated crop losses, many are now trapped in debt,” said Muhamad Amin a grower from Kulgam.
GULZAR BHAT REPORTS FROM PULWAMA
An intense hailstorm battered vast stretches of apple orchards and vegetable farms in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Tuesday, causing significant damage to crops and raising fresh concerns among farmers already grappling with repeated weather-related losses this season.
The hailstorm was reported from several areas of the district, including Pulwama town, Tral, and Pampore, where marble-sized hailstones pounded orchards and agricultural fields for nearly 15 to 20 minutes.
Farmers said the sudden spell left a trail of destruction across villages, damaging fruit-bearing apple trees and vegetable crops at a crucial stage of growth.
Abdul Majeed, a farmer from Shar-Shali village in Pampore, said the intensity of the hailstorm was unlike anything witnessed in recent weeks.
“Marble-sized hailstones fell continuously for around 15 to 20 minutes and caused extensive damage to apple orchards in our area,” Majeed told Greater Kashmir. “The entire village turned white within minutes due to the accumulation of hail. It was a devastating sight for farmers.”
He said vegetable fields also suffered considerable damage as the hailstones shredded leaves and damaged standing crops.
“We were expecting a good season after months of hard work, but this hailstorm has dealt a severe blow to us,” he said.
Similar reports poured in from other parts of the district. Ghulam NabiWani, a farmer from Koil in Pulwama, said the hailstorm lashed the village during the evening hours, leaving orchard owners worried about the impact on fruit production.
“The hailstorm struck suddenly and continued for several minutes. Many apple growers fear substantial losses,” Wani said.
Farmers from Tral also reported damage to orchards, with many expressing concern over the recurring spells of hail that have affected horticulture across Kashmir this year.
The latest weather event has added to the woes of growers, particularly apple farmers, whose orchards have repeatedly come under attack from hailstorms during the past month.
According to officials of the Meteorological Department, Tuesday's hailstorm was the eighth such spell recorded in Kashmir since last month. The frequent episodes of hail have caused widespread damage to horticultural and agricultural crops in several districts.
Earlier hailstorms had devastated large swathes of apple orchards in both south and north Kashmir, resulting in heavy losses for growers. Farmers have urged the government to conduct an immediate assessment of the damage and provide adequate compensation to affected orchardists and vegetable growers.
The repeated hailstorms have once again highlighted the vulnerability of Kashmir's agriculture and horticulture sectors to increasingly erratic weather patterns.
IRFAN RAINA REPORTS FROM GANDERBAL
Heavy rainfall accompanied by a hailstorm lashed several parts of Ganderbal district on Tuesday afternoon, causing concern among the residents and farmers who fear damage to crops and orchards.
Kangan, Hariganiwan ,Wussan, Anderwan, Arhama, and other areas witnessed intense hail for nearly 30 minutes around 2 pm, turning roads and fields white.
The sudden downpour also triggered waterlogging in low-lying.
Farmers said the hailstorm caused extensive damage to apple blossoms, cherry, and standing vegetable crops like peas and beans.
“We were expecting a good fruit set this year, but the hail has shattered the blossoms. It’s a major loss,” said Ghulam Nabi, an orchardist from Kangan.
The fresh hailstorm that struck several areas in Ganderbal underlining the continuing spell of unpredictable weather that has affected different parts of Kashmir in recent weeks.
The weather disturbance triggered concern among inhabitants and farming communities, particularly in districts dependent on horticulture and agriculture where sudden hail and rainfall often raise fears of crop and orchard damage.
OWAIS FAROOQI REPORTS FROM BANDIPORA
A severe hailstorm caused widespread damage to crops, vegetables, and fruit orchards across several villages of Bandipora district in north Kashmir on Monday afternoon, leaving scores of farmers and orchardists staring at huge losses.
The worst-affected areas were Buthoo, Ahamsharif, Aytmulla, Dardpora, Bonakoot, and other adjoining villages, where standing crops and fruit-bearing trees suffered damage.
Residents said the hailstorm struck at a crucial stage of the agricultural season, flattening crops and damaging orchards that many families depend upon for their livelihood.
MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat expressed concern over the losses and urged the administration to conduct an immediate assessment of the damage and ensure timely compensation for affected farmers.
"The farmer community has suffered heavily due to the hailstorm. The administration must undertake a prompt survey of the affected areas and provide adequate compensation and support to farmers at the earliest," Bhat said.
The villagers from the affected areas suggested the hailstorm has caused large-scale damage to crops, vegetables and fruit, with Bonakoot among the worst-hit areas where substantial losses were reported.
Former MLA Usman Majid also sought immediate intervention of the authorities.
"The farming community has suffered significant losses and deserves immediate support. I urge the administration to conduct a prompt assessment of the damage and ensure adequate compensation is provided to the affected farmers at the earliest," Majid said.
Sheikh Farooq Habeeb, district Bandipora president of Congress, termed the hailstorm a major setback for farmers and orchardists and called for immediate relief measures.
"The farmers and orchardists of Bandipora have suffered immense losses due to this devastating hailstorm. It is the duty of the administration to step in immediately and provide adequate compensation to all affected families so they can recover from this calamity," he said.
Sameer Iqbal of National Conference also sought relief for the affected villagers, farmers and orchardists.
The locals and affected farmers urged the authorities to conduct a comprehensive ground survey of all affected areas and initiate the compensation process without delay.
Farmers from the affected villages appealed to the administration to expedite damage assessment and release relief under available compensation schemes, saying repeated weather-related losses have pushed many farming families into financial distress.
TARIQUE RAHEEM REPORTS FROM KUPWARA
Strong winds Tuesday damaged a house and a shop in separate incidents in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, causing significant loss to property.
According to locals, the rooftop of a house was blown away by gusty winds in KakkadpatiLoharMohalla of Diver Lolab.
The incident caused damage to the house though no injuries were reported.
An official said that the house belongs to Muneer Ahmad Lohar.
In another incident, a shop owned by Muhammad Amin in Azad Gali area of Kupwara was extensively damaged after its roof collapsed under the impact of strong winds.
The affected families suffered considerable losses as household belongings and shop property were damaged.
Locals urged the authorities to assess the losses and provide necessary relief to the affected owners.
No loss of life or injuries were reported in either of the incidents.
M M PARVAIZ REPORTS FROM KISHTWAR AND RAMBAN
A 24-year-old woman lost her life after being struck by lightning in the Kashtigarh area of on Tuesday evening.
According to officials, the deceased has been identified as Pinki Devi, daughter of Ram Krishan of Khuddhar village in the Kashtigarh tehsil area of Doda.
The incident occurred when she was rearing sheep and goats near her residence during adverse weather conditions.
Officials said lightning struck the area suddenly, causing severe burn injuries to the woman, who succumbed on the spot.
In a related development, heavy rainfall has triggered flash flood-like situations in parts of and Doda, prompting the administration to remain on high alert.
Two separate cloudburst incidents were reported on Tuesday from the Gahan Sarthal and Machipal areas of the region, triggering flash floods and disruption in parts of the region.
Officials said the incidents occurred after heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of the district.
The cloudburst activity reportedly struck along the ridge between Drabshalla and Gujjuwa, leading to sudden surges of water in nearby streams and nalas.
According to Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, the flash floods affected road connectivity at several locations including Drabshalla Zero Point, Suru-Sarthal, Gan, and Machipal.
He said restoration work was taken up immediately and the main highway up to Drabshalla has already been cleared.
Coordination is underway with the General Manager in Doda to expedite clearance of the affected stretch beyond Drabshalla towards Fatri.
Teams from the district administration have been deployed on the ground to assess the situation and restore connectivity.
The administration has placed all emergency response agencies on alert, including Revenue, Disaster Management, and Police departments. Residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to avoid streams, nalas, and landslide-prone zones during the ongoing monsoon season and to promptly report any rain-related incidents to control rooms or local authorities.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he spoke with the Deputy Commissioner shortly after receiving reports of the cloudbursts.
In a post on social media platform X, he said preliminary field reports indicated no casualties, injuries, or property damage at either location.
Singh said that teams from the district Red Cross, Police, and Revenue Department had been dispatched for on-site assessment, while mobile patrols and field staff are maintaining continuous contact with local communities.
Authorities said the situation is being closely monitored and further updates on any damage or disruption will be issued as assessments continue.
Meanwhile, following a brief spell of torrential rainfall, flash floods, and landslides on Tuesday traffic movement on the Doda-Kishtwar National Highway was disrupted with the road getting blocked at Thathri and Drabshalla between Doda and Kishtwar.
Officials said that men and machinery were immediately mobilised to clear debris and landslide material from the affected stretches to restore vehicular movement.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, told reporters that a cloudburst occurred along the ridge between Drabshalla and Gujjuwa, triggering flash floods that impacted few roads roads, including stretches at Drabshalla Zero Point, Suru-Sarthal, Gan, and Machhipal.
Restoration work has been initiated on a priority basis, and the main highway up to Drabshalla has already been cleared.
Coordination is also underway with the General Manager of NHIDCL in Doda to expedite clearance of the affected stretch beyond Drabshalla towards Fatri.
The DC urged the public to avoid streams and nalas during the ongoing monsoon season and advised residents to immediately report any rainfall or flood-related incidents to the control room, local tehsildars, or revenue authorities to ensure swift response and restoration efforts.
