Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Himachal High Court Orders Yearlong Halt to Anti-Hail Guns
Himachal Pradesh’s High Court has told the state to stop anti-hail guns for at least a year.
These machines make shock waves.
Some growers use them to try to stop hailstones from forming in clouds.
Apple growers said the machines might affect rain and hail patterns.
They also raised concerns about heavy rain and damage to nearby apple-growing areas.
The court said those concerns appeared to be supported.
The court gave the order while considering a public interest case it had started on its own.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court ordered an immediate halt to anti-hail gun operations across the state for at least one year.
A Division Bench issued the direction while hearing a public interest litigation initiated suo motu by the court.
The case followed representations from apple growers concerned that the machines affect rainfall and hail patterns.
The court said orchardists’ concerns about excessive rainfall and damage to adjoining apple-growing areas appeared to be substantiated.
Anti-hail guns generate shock waves and are used by some horticulturists to try to prevent hailstone formation in clouds.
- Who
- The Himachal Pradesh High Court, including Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi; apple growers raised concerns.
- What
- The court ordered an immediate halt to anti-hail gun operations across Himachal Pradesh for at least one year.
- When
- Monday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- Himachal Pradesh.
- Why
- The order followed concerns that anti-hail guns affect rainfall and hail patterns and may contribute to excessive rain and damage in adjoining apple-growing areas.
Concerns about anti-hail guns
Use of anti-hail guns
Effects on weather and nearby orchards
Concerns about anti-hail guns
Apple growers complained that the machines affect rainfall and hail patterns; the court said concerns about excessive rainfall and damage to adjoining apple-growing areas appeared substantiated.
Use of anti-hail guns
Some horticulturists use the machines with the aim of preventing crop damage by disrupting hailstone formation in clouds.
- Order
- Immediate halt to anti-hail gun operations across the state
- Duration
- At least one year
- Court
- Himachal Pradesh High Court
- Bench
- Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi
- Case
- A public interest litigation initiated suo motu by the court
- Growers’ concerns
- Possible effects on rainfall and hail patterns, excessive rainfall, and damage to adjoining apple-growing areas
- How the machines work
- They generate shock waves and are used by some horticulturists to try to disrupt hailstone formation in clouds