Damage to apple gardens and standing crops in Mandi, Kullu due to hailstorm

The large hailstorm in some parts of Mandi and Kullu districts yesterday caused heavy damage to apple gardens and other crops, which upset farmers, as the flower season is at its peak. The most affected area is Seraj Valley in the Mandi district, especially Thunag and umbrella areas. Local Apple producers have reported that Hailstorm has caused great damage to bleeding apple trees, pear gardens and other kernels. Ravinder Sisodia of Thunag and Devendra Bablu and Ram Lal Chauhan of Chhatri said that Hailstorm took place at a time when apple gardens were completely bloomed, which affected the expected yield. Bablu said: “Our garden was severely affected. The intensity of hailstorm was so much that it damaged flowers. It’s a shock to us.” It is also reported that banjar subdivision of the neighboring Kullu district has damaged crops. Bhagat Singh, head of Dehuridhar Gram Panchayat in Banjar, said similar destruction took place in some Panchayats of the area. He said: “Olastriya has severely affected the region. Apple orchards and different crops have been ruined.” Farmers from Mandi and Kullu districts urged Departments of Horticulture and Agriculture to assess immediate damage and compensation. A Banjar farmer said: “It is a great loss and we cannot recover from it without the government’s help.” Share this story -tags