Rain Lashes Himachal Pradesh: Apple Growers, Tourism Industry Drown in Losses

Himachal Pradesh is staring at huge losses in tourism and the staple apple crop due to heavy rains.

Preliminary estimates revealed that apple growers have suffered huge losses over the past week, with two sub-divisions in Rohru and Jebel, two major apple growing areas in the state, reporting the loss of more than 30,000 apple trees. Even worse, the region continues to report land erosion.

Officials claimed that the Rohru region alone saw the loss of more than 15,000 apple trees. An equal number of trees were damaged in the Jibal area. The local administration is trying to find out how many orchards have been washed away by erosion and landslides.

Dimple Chauhan, a local horticulturist from Gopal, said the devastation caused by the clouds and landslides was unprecedented. “Orchards and farms on the slopes have suffered the most damage. The losses we are looking forward to are huge,” he told News18.com.

Revenue officials claimed that 30-40 percent of farmers were severely affected by the rains in Jibal alone. Apart from Rohru and Jubbal, losses are mounting even in Kinnaur, the other major apple growing region. The Raba district in the Bo massif, where orchards were flattened by floods, was the hardest hit.

The tourism industry, which is the lifeblood of the state as well, is feeling the impact. The high-density tourist centers of Kullu and Manali have been hit hard. The room occupancy rate of hotels in Kullu-Manali has dropped to almost zero, as many business and family accommodation have been eliminated.

Not only the big hotels and resorts but even the small vendors, who have seen good business, are facing losses.

Hotel industry operators claimed that in addition to hoteliers, homeowners, taxi operators, tea sellers, roadside vendors and local businessmen, they were affected. Many hotels have been closed by the hotel owners and their staff have been sent on leave until the situation improves.