A heavy hailstorm ripped through the paddy crops in Budgam, Pulwama and Kupwara as heavy rains destroyed the crop in Anantanag this evening. The cold wave gripped Kashmir valley after rains lashed many parts of the valley including south Kashmir this evening. People were seen wearing woollen clothes and also the traditional cloak, Phiran this evening. Reports said that intense cold wave conditions prevailed over north Kashmir today forcing people to wear woollens. The hailstorm followed by heavy rains and strong winds lasted for about 35 minutes from 7 P.M to 7.35 P.M last evening and also damaged the vegetation and knocked down apple fruit. At least 90 per cent of the population in north Kashmir grows paddy as their yearly crop and the crop in Budgam and Pulwama and at few places in Kupwara is being harvested since past few days. The vegetable fields have grown fully and two commonly grown varieties of apple -American and delicious also suffered damage due to the storm. Reports said that the standing crops ready for harvesting were destroyed by hailstorm in Rai Reech, Rairi Beerwah, Machipora, Talapora in Budgam. Hailstorm destroyed the standing crops in Tral and many other areas of Pulwama. "It was a windy evening followed by hail storm of great intensity. The storm destroyed the standing crop and also destroyed the vegetation. It broke down the twigs and branches of tress. At many places in Budgam the harvesting of crop has already begun," said, Nazir Ahmad Mir of Machipora Budgam, adding that the entire fields wore a white blanket as hail accumulated on ground. Reports said that hailstorm ripped through standing crops in bordering area of Kandi in Kupwara leaving the farmers traumatised. This was followed by heavy rains and strong winds which further damaged the crops. A mild hailstorm that lasted for about 10 minutes also destroyed the crops in Lolab villages and other areas including Batpora, Manigah, Manzhar, Chowkibal, Kachama in Kupwara Tehsil. Farmers in Kandi have demanded compensation for the loss to the crops due to hailstorm. Majority of people in this bordering area earn their livelihood by cultivating the paddy crop. Reports said that the vegetation was also destroyed in storm hit areas. Heavy rainfall caused damage to the standing crops in Anantnag. Reports said that rainfall this evening forced the farmers to stop the harvesting of crop and the harvested paddy was seen sailing in water in the fields. Reports said that many villages and hamlets in Handwara including Dareshpora, Hanga, Koloora, Wadoora, Ladura, Mawar, Satkotchi, Gundchabotara, Rajwar, Zaksundar Harwat, and Shanu were badly affected by the storm. Meanwhile, the Metrological office in Srinagar has predicated more rains in Kashmir valley in next 24 hours. An official told Kashmir Times that more rains may lash Kashmir valley especially the south Kashmir.