Srinagar, May 24 -- The back-to-back hailstorms in various parts of Kashmir have caused heavy damage to fruit industry with the growers urging the government to declare the 2026 as a disaster year.

On Friday, dozens of villages in Rafiabad and Sopore witnessed a heavy hailstorm that heavily damaged orchards. Earlier, similar hailstorms were observed in Tangmarg, Pattan, Bandipora, Kulgam and Kreeri belts of the Valley, causing damage to growers.

President of Sopore fruit mandi Fayaz Ahmad, alias Kakajee, said that huge damage has been caused. "Many farmers lost the hard work of their full year. This is a natural disaster, so the government should declare the year 2026 as a disaster year if they want to save the growers," he said.

Fruit...