Srinagar, June 22 -- Srinagar- Fresh hailstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall battered several parts of south Kashmir on Monday, causing extensive damage to apple orchards, vegetable crops and other standing agricultural fields, further aggravating the concerns of farmers already hit by repeated weather-related losses this season.

The worst-affected areas included Shangus, Sheikhgund, Wangam, Krad and adjoining villages in Anantnag district, where hailstones pounded orchards and farmlands during the afternoon, damaging crops across large stretches of agricultural land.

Residents said the sudden spell of adverse weather left farmers anxious about the fate of their produce and urged the administration to immediately assess the losses and ...