Heavy rainfall that lashed the tourist town of Manali and its surrounding areas led to a considerable fall in the temperature on Wednesday. The continuous rain has also hampered plucking, grading, packing and transportation of apple produce.
CM Thakur, an orchardist from Burwa area of upper Kullu valley, said rains have stalled the plucking of apple crop.
He said the plucking of fruit would start in full swing in the upper area of Manali region after August 15. "The harvesting of apple crop has come to a standstill in our area due to incessant rain, as the crop in Left Bank belt of the valley has reached the ripening stage," said Varun Thakur, another orchardist from Dashal village in Left Bank belt of the valley.
He added that if the rains continued further, it might affect the colour of the standing crop of apple in the valley.
Besides, Karan Kant, a resident of Patlikuhal, said the fruit market at Patlikuhal witnessed a poor arrival of apple due to heavy rainfall. "Obviously, the growers do not want to take the risk of plucking, grading and transportation of apple in the wake of rainfall in the valley," he added.
Inder Chauhan, a fruit trader, claimed that fruit plucked during rains hardly fetched better price in the fruit market as fruits usually develop black spots during rains.
An expert from the department of horticulture too said plucking during rains was not advisable and the same was harmful for the crop.
Inder Chauhan, a fruit trader, claimed that fruit plucked during rains hardly fetched better price in the fruit market as fruits usually develop black spots during rains.
An expert from the department of horticulture too said plucking during rains was not advisable and the same was harmful for the crop.