Srinagar, May 24 -- Farmers from areas including Sedow-Hirpora in Shopian and DH Pora in Kulgam said that the storm destroyed large portions of their apple crops, adding to losses from previous weather-related damages.

"The hailstorm was merciless," said Nazim Ahmad, an orchardist from Shopian. "We invest heavily in fertilizers, pesticides, and labor every year. But these repeated natural calamities are ruining our hard work."

Growers have renewed calls for immediate government compensation and the implementation of a comprehensive crop insurance scheme, which has long been promised but remains pending. Many expressed willingness to pay annual premiums if it guarantees protection against such disasters.

"We are not asking for charity b...