Unusual rain and hailstorms have caused extensive damage to the apple crop in Himachal Pradesh, a region that relies heavily on this crop for its annual income of Rs 5,500 crore. The unseasonal weather conditions, including consecutive days of rain, hail, and thunderstorms, have wreaked havoc on the apple orchards. This comes just a few days after a previous spell of unseasonal rain and hail had already caused significant destruction in the fruit-growing areas.
Furthermore, the higher altitudes of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur have been experiencing intermittent snowfall, leading to a drop in temperatures of up to 9.9 degrees Celsius in Shimla and the state's fruit-growing regions. This sudden change in weather is expected to have a negative impact on the apple crop in these districts.
Local orchardists report that the unseasonal rains and hailstorms have not only damaged the apple trees but also destroyed the early fruit buds. The situation is unprecedented and unimaginable, according to Sanjay Chauhan, an orchardist and former Shimla Mayor, who highlights the clear evidence of climate change's impact. He adds that in his 43 years of experience, he has never witnessed such extreme weather conditions.
Orchardist Ram Lal Khajaik, from Kotkhai, shared visual evidence of the massive damage caused by hailstorms, showcasing completely destroyed crops. The protective hail nets installed to safeguard the orchards also collapsed, leaving the plants vulnerable to the hailstones. The severity of the hail and thunderstorms has devastated the orchardists.
Prof S. P. Bhardwaj, a former scientist at Dr Y S Parmar Horticulture University, Nauni, Solan, holds a different view regarding the apple crops, considering the conditions as temporary. He explains that while the drop in temperature has hindered fruit growth, there is hope that once the weather improves and temperatures rise, the apple crop will recover. However, Sanjay Chauhan asserts that 60 percent of the apple crop has suffered damage, resulting in significant losses for the farmers. He urges the government to assess the losses, provide relief to farmers by halting loan recovery, and release the outstanding amount of nearly Rs 90 crore owed to farmers for the apples procured under the market intervention scheme.
According to Prof S. P. Bhardwaj, the number of western disturbances and associated rainfall has been increasing over the decades, with a significant rise from 1971-1980 to 2011-2020. These western disturbances in March and April have negatively affected the reproductive stages of the crops, leading to grain shedding and lodging of the wheat crop. This, in turn, affects productivity and causes major losses for farmers.
Data from the Meteorological Department shows that April 2023 has been the second wettest month since 2004. The state received 104.1 mm of rainfall in April, which is 63 percent more than the normal 64 mm for the month. Four active western disturbances hit the state during April, resulting in widespread precipitation. While Lahaul and Spiti district received normal rainfall, eight other districts experienced excess rainfall, with Bilaspur, Kullu, and Shimla being the most affected.
The unseasonal rains and hailstorms have dealt a severe blow to the livelihoods of farmers in Himachal Pradesh, disrupting the apple crop and causing extensive damage. The increased frequency of extreme weather events and changing rainfall patterns highlight the urgent need for adaptation strategies and support for farmers in the face of climate change.
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