Mussoorie, April 6 -- A spell of rain, hailstorms and gusty winds triggered by an active Western Disturbance lashed several hilly districts of Uttarakhand over the past 24 hours, damaging apple orchards in the prominent fruit-growing belts of Harsil in Uttarkashi district and Dhanaulti in Tehri Garhwal district ahead of the fruiting season. According to data released at 8:30 am on Sunday, several hilly regions experienced light to moderate rainfall accompanied by hail and thunderstorms, while higher reaches received fresh snowfall. Among the areas recording rainfall, Satpuli and Shama received the highest precipitation in the state with 8 mm each, followed by Devidhura with 7.5 mm. Karnaprayag and Song recorded 7 mm each, while Bhainsiya Chhana and Kanda received 6.5 mm of rainfall. Officials said a hailstorm that struck the apple belt areas of Dhanaulti and Harsil on Saturday night caused damage to orchards across nearly 30 to 50 hectares. Apple trees in several areas experienced significant leaf loss at a critical stage of flowering. Farmers in the apple-growing regions of Mori, Arakot, Harsil and Dharali also reported damage to flowering trees following the hailstorm. Bhupendra Panwar, an apple grower from Dharali, said the area received a few inches of snowfall on Saturday night. "Snow is usually considered 'white manure' for apple orchards, but the hailstorm that followed could damage the trees that have already begun flowering," he said. "Last year we faced losses due to a natural disaster, and now hailstorms pose another threat. If such weather continues, it could ruin an entire season's investment in minutes," Panwar added. Bharat Singh Kathait, in-charge of the horticulture department in Dhanaulti, said the hailstorm damaged more than 1,000 apple trees across 30 to 50 acres in the region. "The damage occurred during the crucial flowering stage. Loss of leaves at this stage could impact fruit development and reduce yield during the harvesting period in September," Kathait said. Rajnish Singh, chief horticulture officer of Uttarkashi district, said damage to apple crops has been reported from several parts of the district's apple belt. "The physical impact of hailstones can break fruiting spurs and small woody growths where apples develop each year. This could significantly affect fruit production in the coming season," Singh said. Farmers have also renewed demands for crop insurance coverage against hailstorms and other climatic adversities. Horticulture officials said the apple crop insurance window for hail damage generally runs from April 16 to June 15. As the recent damage occurred before the insurance coverage period begins, many farmers may not be eligible for compensation. Balak Ram Nautiyal, a farmer from Tulyada village in Uttarkashi, said several fruit crops in his fields were affected. "Mango, lemon and pomegranate trees, along with my marigold nursery, suffered extensive damage due to the overnight rain and hail. If such weather continues, the financial losses will be severe," he said. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) centre in Dehradun has issued an orange alert for April 7 and 8, warning of intense thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and strong winds with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph....