BATHINDA, April 4 -- Rain accompanied by strong winds and hailstorms early this week has caused damage in kinnow orchards where trees are in the crucial fruit setting stage in south Punjab, leaving growers worried.

The Abohar belt of Fazilka district is known as the hub of the kinnow cultivation in the country, whereas the semi-arid districts of Muktsar and Bathinda also have orchards of the citrus fruit.

The semi-arid region witnessed intermittent rainfall and gusty winds in the last 24 hours since late Thursday evening.

Orchardists said that the current climatic conditions are not conducive for kinnow crop.

Abohar-based orchardist Arvind Setia said the sudden change in weather had affected the kinnow trees.

"The citrus orchards are...