A widening rainfall deficit across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir has begun damaging the Valley’s apple orchards and paddy fields, with growers reporting deterioration in fruit quality and large stretches of farmland drying up amid an extended dry spell. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deficit for the period June 1 to July 15 reaches as high as 83% in the worst-affected district.
Rainfall Deficits Across Key Districts
IMD data for the period from June 1 to July 15 reveals acute shortfalls in the region’s agricultural hubs. The following table lists the deficits for the worst-affected districts:
| District | Rainfall Received (mm) | Normal Rainfall (mm) | Deficit (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopian | 14.4 | 83.5 | 83% |
| Kulgam | — | — | 63% |
| Budgam | — | — | 53% |
| Srinagar | — | — | 53% |
| Bandipora | — | — | 52% |
Shopian recorded just 14.4 mm of rain against a normal of 83.5 mm, while Kulgam follows with a 63% deficit, and Budgam, Srinagar, and Bandipora each range from 52% to 53% shortfall.
Impact on Apple Orchards: Risk of Physiological Disorders
Prolonged dry weather has started affecting apple orchards. Tariq Rasool, Associate Professor at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir, warned that moisture stress increases the risk of physiological disorders: “The continuing rainfall deficit is creating stress in orchards and, if conditions persist, growers could witness more cases of fruit cracking and lenticel blotch, affecting fruit quality and market value.”
Apple cultivation is the backbone of Kashmir’s horticulture economy, producing around 20 to 22 lakh tonnes annually and supporting the livelihoods of nearly 3.5 million people, directly or indirectly. The current dry spell threatens fruit development at a crucial stage.
Paddy Cultivation: Drying Fields and Hardened Soil
The dry spell has also deepened concerns for paddy cultivation, especially in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, where irrigation channels have run low and vast stretches of fields face drought-like conditions. In several villages, including YK Pora, Khar Gund, Chowgam and Churat, paddy fields have begun drying up as farmers struggle to irrigate.
Abdulla Rashid, a farmer from Kulgam, said: “Our paddy fields have turned into a hard sheath and deep cracks have developed because there has been hardly any water. If rains do not arrive soon or irrigation water is not restored, we fear losing a substantial part of the crop.”
Farmers noted that the lack of rainfall has significantly hardened the soil, making it difficult for paddy plants to grow and increasing the risk of crop failure if dry conditions continue over the coming weeks. Paddy is the Valley’s principal food crop, cultivated across thousands of hectares and heavily reliant on timely monsoon rains and irrigation during the peak growing season.
Outlook: Widespread Rains Expected from July 19
With rainfall remaining well below normal in several key agricultural districts, growers are hoping for widespread precipitation. An IMD official told businessline that widespread rains are expected to begin from July 19, with peak activity to be witnessed on July 21 and 22.
For commodity traders and procurement teams, this supply disruption could tighten availability of premium Kashmir apples and Basmati-style paddy in the coming months, potentially supporting prices if the dry spell persists or returns after the forecast rains.
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