Gundi Gagersulla, April 16, 2025 — A sudden and severe hailstorm battered the Gundi Gagersulla region on Tuesday, inflicting extensive damage on standing crops, fruit-bearing trees, and seasonal horticulture. The unanticipated storm has left local farmers grappling with heavy losses during a critical phase of the agricultural cycle.

April is a key cultivation month for the region, with wheat, barley, mustard, and summer vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and pumpkins nearing harvest. The hailstorm flattened vast tracts of farmland, destroying mature crops and uprooting tender plants.

Horticultural damage was also significant. Fruit trees such as apricots, plums, and peaches—currently in their flowering and early fruit-setting stages—suffered heavily. Blossoms and young fruits were knocked off by the hail, raising serious concerns about yields this season.

“This was our peak season. We were expecting a good wheat harvest and early vegetables,” said one local farmer. “Now all we see is destruction. Fruit trees are also damaged. We don’t know how we’ll recover.”

Many residents reported the hailstones were unusually large. “We have never witnessed such massive hail before — the size and force were truly alarming,” said another villager.

In addition to crop damage, the storm also impacted livestock. Altaf Shah reported the loss of a sheep, valued at over ₹10,000, while Molana Khadim Shah lost a prized cock weighing nearly 2.5 to 3 kg.

Local authorities have initiated preliminary damage assessments. Affected farmers are now urging the government for immediate financial relief and support for the upcoming sowing season.