BARAMULLA, Oct. 7 -- Paddy growers in several parts of north Kashmir's Baramulla district have reported extensive damage to standing crops following a suspected outbreak of rice blast disease, with recent hailstorms further worsening losses ahead of harvest.

Farmers from Doudbugh, Sheeri, Pattan, Rafiabad and adjoining areas said symptoms of a fungal disease have appeared in paddy fields at a critical stage of crop development, raising concerns over a sharp decline in yield and grain quality.

According to growers, the combined impact of the suspected disease and hailstorms has caused significant damage in several fields, with some estimating production losses of up to 65 per cent in the worst-affected areas.

"We have never seen such wi...