Jammu, May 23 -- Sopore, May 23 (KNS); Expressing alarm over fresh hailstorms, the president of Asia's second-largest fruit mandi in Sopore on Saturday called upon the Jammu and Kashmir government to declare 2026 a "disaster year" for the horticulture and agriculture sectors, warning that thousands of growers face financial ruin without urgent relief.

Fayaz Ahmed Malik, president of the Sopore Fruit Mandi, told reporters that the horticulture sector sustains nearly 75 per cent of the region's population, with around 12.5 lakh families dependent on it.

He said hailstorms in the last 20-25 days have caused 100 per cent damage in Kulgam, Shopian, Kriri, Wangura, Tangbarak, Kundhar, Andargam and Lolipora. He added that parts of Bandipora - ...