Shimla, April 5:
What was supposed to be a season of bloom has turned into a nightmare across Shimla’s apple belt. A freak, swirling hailstorm—pounding from all directions—has left behind a trail of destruction so severe that farmers say not just the crop, but their very livelihood lies shattered.
In an unprecedented weather assault in the first week of April, vast stretches of orchards—from Chopal to Jubbal-Kotkhai—have been battered by massive hailstones.
The storm, described by locals as “coming from south to north and back again in a whirl,” ripped through orchards at a time when apple trees were in the delicate pink and silver bud stage.
“This was not a normal storm… it was like the sky attacked us,” said Ramesh Mehta, an apple grower from Chopal, his voice heavy with despair.
“The buds are gone. The branches are broken. Even the nets we installed to protect the crop have collapsed under the weight of ice.”
Gloom Across the Apple Heartland
From Shillnu, Dewat, Shantha, and Shilgran to Maroag, Bamta, Chopal, and Sarahan—there is hardly a pocket left untouched.
Upper regions extending into Jubbal, Rohru, Kotkhai, and areas like Throla, Mahasu, Deha, Balsan, and Kupdi have all reported massive damage. More reports are awaited.
Himbu Mail, which witnessed the devastation firsthand, found orchards buried under thick layers of ice—more like a snowfield than a spring bloom. Broken branches, flattened anti-hail nets, and fallen buds paint a grim, almost apocalyptic picture.
Dinesh Jhagta, a farmer from Bamta said, “We had pinned all our hopes on this season. Apples are only income for farmers. Now everything is gone. Even the trees are damaged. How will we survive this year?”.
“Pictures of Gloom and Doom from Anni’s Apple Belt — White Blanket Above, Ruins Beneath.”Gloom and Doom Across Himachal’s Apple Belt, Anni in Kullu Among Worst Hit
It’s not just the apple belt of Shimla that has taken a severe hit — the orchards of Anni in Kullu have also suffered a massive blow as devastating hailstorms and unseasonal snowfall battered the region.
What appears at first glance as a picturesque white blanket draped over the hills is, in reality, a scene of gloom and doom.
Beneath this deceptive cover lies widespread destruction — tender apple buds crushed, branches damaged, and farmers’ hopes buried under layers of ice.
In Anni’s apple belt, which was entering the crucial bloom stage, the storm has wreaked havoc, leaving the crop in ruins.
Growers say the damage is extensive, with entire orchards impacted, raising fears of a major dip in production this season.
Farmers, already battling rising input costs and unpredictable weather, now face yet another setback. “It looks beautiful from afar, but for us, it’s devastation,” said a local grower, summing up the grim reality.
As climate patterns turn increasingly erratic, such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, leaving Himachal’s apple economy vulnerable and growers staring at uncertain futures.
Double Blow: Rain Adds to Misery
In Kufri, Wildflower Hall, and Theog, farmers escaped the hailstorm but not the damage.
Heavy rains during peak bloom have washed away pollen and disrupted honeybee activity—critical for fruit setting.
“Rain at this stage is equally dangerous,” said Mohan Verma from Theog. “The flowers cannot pollinate properly. The cold wave that followed will further reduce the yield. Loss is certain.”
A Region on the Brink
April is the most crucial bloom period for apple growers across lower, middle, and higher altitudes. This year, however, the season has begun with what farmers are calling one of the most destructive weather events- first drought if 40 days and now rains and hailstorm- in recent memory.
Even the buds are weak as nutrients were not absorbed by the plant due to the long drought.
While Kullu and Kinnaur have largely been spared hail damage, anxiety is high across Shimla apple belt.
“This is not just crop loss—it’s a collapse of rural economy,” said Gobind Singh, an orchardist from Shantha.
“We have invested lakhs in these orchards. Without immediate government relief, many families will be pushed into debt. How much is the damage was done only we will be witnessing in the morning hours as it is pitch dark and is raining."
Demand for Urgent Relief
Farmers across the district are now demanding special relief packages, compensation, and immediate assessment of losses.
With horticulture being the backbone of Shimla’s economy, the impact is expected to ripple across markets and livelihoods.
As one farmer summed it up, staring at his ice-covered orchard:
“April should have brought flowers. Instead, it has brought ruin.” More reports are awaited.
#HailstormHimachal #AppleCrisis #ShimlaOrchards #FarmersInDistress
