Bandipora, Oct. 8 -- A hailstorm accompanied by rain and gusty winds lashed parts of the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, amid a sudden change of weather, damaging standing crops and raising concerns among farmers over significant losses.

The intense hailstorm lasted for around ten minutes and affected several areas of the district, with farmers reporting damage to standing crops following the spell of hail, rain and strong winds.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for a thunderstorm accompanied by light rain and gusty winds between 41 and 61 kilometres per hour. An alert has also been issued for neighbouring districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, Gandrebal, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Raesi and R...