Untimely snow destroys 90% apple orchards in Lahaul
A week after untimely snow wreaked havoc in the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti, causing extensive damage to apple and vegetable crops, farmers have started counting their losses.
“Losses are tremendous as nearly 90% apple orchards have been destroyed. Untimely snow has caused damage to not only fruit crop, but trees have also flattened,” said deputy director horticulture, Lahual and Spiti, Sonam Gangrup.
Gangrup added that the department has sought a final report from field officers. District agriculture officer Hem Raj Verma said as per an initial assessment, losses have been pegged at over ₹170 crore.
“It’s for first the time since 1953 that it snowed in the Valley in the mid of September. This happened when we were expecting monsoon to retreat. Snow caught people unaware and caused tremendous crop loss to farmers,” said a farmer and member of block development committee, Tenzin Karpa.
“It was a good crop year, but now all is lost. We cannot expect an apple crop for the next five years,” said a farmer Ramesh Bodh. Farmers in the areas cultivate mainly cabbage, cauliflowers, iceberg, red cabbage, celery and peas. Potato is the main cash crop in the area but over the years people have taken to apple farming. “Apple cultivation is now scattered in almost all villages of Lahaul valley,” said deputy director horticulture, Lahual and Spiti, Sonam Gangrup.