India, April 14 -- Short, intense hailstorms are increasingly damaging apple orchards across Kashmir

Recent storms hit during the critical flowering stage, leaving little chance of crop recovery

Studies show a sharp rise in hailstorm events, now clustering between April and June

Farmers face repeated losses, with impacts extending beyond one season to long-term orchard health

Limited access to protection and insurance leaves growers highly vulnerable to climate shocks

In Damhal village, about 80 kilometres from Srinagar, Shakeel Ahmad Rather walks through what remains of his apple orchard after last week's hailstorm.

The storm lasted barely half an hour, but the damage was immediate. Red-tipped blossoms - fragile and essential for f...