Srinagar: A hailstorm lashed parts of Kashmir on Thursday evening, damaging standing crops, orchards and disrupting normal life for some time.
According to the details, Bandipora District in North Kashmir was the worst hit.
Locals in Bandipora said that the hailstones came down heavily and within minutes the ground was covered with hail devastating the standing crop, both agriculture and horticulture.
Traffic movement was also affected during the hailstorm, they said.
Heavy hail and strong winds were also reported from parts of Ganderbal, Baramulla and Kupwara districts.
In Kupwara, severe hail and heavy rain were reported to have affected paddy fields and apple orchards, while crop damage was also reported from some areas of Ganderbal.
Rainfall was reported from several other parts of Jammu and Kashmir, while cloudy conditions prevailed over most areas.
The overall extent of damage to crops and orchards in Bandipora, Kupwara and Ganderbal has not yet been officially assessed, and no district-wise loss estimates were immediately available.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness light rain at scattered places over the next two days, with light snowfall possible over higher reaches, the Meteorological Centre said.
The weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy on October 9 and 10, with generally dry conditions likely to prevail on October 11 and 12.
A brief spell of light rain is possible at a few places towards the evening of October 9, while another spell of rain may occur towards the evening or night of October 13, the weather office said.
Generally cloudy weather with light rain, light snowfall over higher reaches, thunderstorms and gusty winds is expected at many places on October 14 and 15.
The weather is likely to remain generally dry from October 16 to 18, according to the forecast.
The Meteorological Centre has advised farmers to continue harvesting and ensure safe storage of harvested apples and paddy.
