Shimla, May 25 — A hailstorm pounded the prime apple belts of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, leaving thousands of fruit-laden trees and crops damaged across Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba and Kangra.
At the same time, a sudden cloudburst in Kullu’s Jagatkhana triggered flash floods, washing away over 15 vehicles and blocking roads with debris.
Apple Growers in Shock
From Kotgarh to Seraj valley, and from Theog to Kalpa, apple orchards bore the brunt of nature’s fury.
The hail struck at a critical stage—just as apples were forming—shredding leaves and bruising fruits.
Cherry and vegetable growers also suffered losses. In Chamba’s high-altitude Pangi area, snow and rain further worsened the situation.
Flash Floods in Jagatkhana, Cars Swept Into Sutlej
In Kullu’s Nirmand block, Jagatkhana village saw a sudden downpour around 6 PM.
The resulting cloudburst caused a flash flood that swept away parked cars and buried roads in debris.
Three road stretches were blocked by landslides. Rescue teams restored traffic late at night. One death was reported in Chamba’s Cheli village due to a related cloudburst.
Yellow Alert Issued
IMD has sounded a yellow warning for May 27–28, with predictions of hailstorms, gusty winds (up to 50 kmph), and isolated heavy rain on May 30–31.
Farmer Advisory:
Inspect orchards for pest and fungal risks after hail.
Report damage to horticulture officers quickly for compensation.
Tourist Advisory:
Avoid travel to remote and flood-prone areas.
Follow local weather and traffic updates before planning your route.
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