Roads blocked, Himachal apple growers in peril

HIMACHAL Pradesh's ₹5,000 crore apple industry has been severely impacted this season after relentless monsoon rains wreaked havoc across the state.

- HARPREET BAJWA @Chandigarh

Farmers are grappling with poor fruit quality, damaged infrastructure, and plummeting market prices, creating one of the toughest harvest seasons in recent years.

Continuous rainfall triggered the outbreak of a fungal disease, which has led to premature leaf and apple drop in orchards across the state. Transportation of apples has come to a near standstill in many areas due to landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts that destroyed vital road networks. Apple-growing regions such as Kullu, Kinnaur, Shimla, Mandi, Chamba, and upper Shimla are particularly affected.