Season's First Snowfall Brings Much-Needed Relief To Apple Farmers In Kashmir

The prolonged dry spell in Kashmir had left apple farmers anxious about the sustainability of their livelihoods.

The season's first snowfall, albeit late, has given Kashmir's apple farmers some hope of a good harvest for this year. A winter without snowfall had the farmers worried about the impact of the sudden change in weather on their livelihoods.

As the plains received the season's first snowfall, it not only ended the two-month-long dry spell but also provided much-needed relief to the people associated with the apple farming industry in Kashmir.

The prolonged dry spell had left apple farmers anxious about the sustainability of their livelihoods. The absence of snow was particularly concerning as it would have led to the early flowering of the apple trees, leading to an adverse impact on the harvest.

The overall crop production would also be hit due to the late snowfall which had the agricultural industry in Kashmir worried. Crops such as mustard, wheat and barley were also facing a threat due to a lack of irrigation. Due to less rainfall and negligible snowfall, there is already a shortage of water in the rivers and streams. In fact, the water in Jhelum had gone 1 metre below the minimum level, which is a record in 1,115 years.

The lack of snowfall and rain would mean a shortage of water during the summer when the farmers begin working on their crops. This means that despite the snowfall, worries are all but over for Kashmir. The Jal Shakti Department, which supplies drinking water in Kashmir Valley, said this change in weather will also affect the supply of drinking water in the coming days. A senior official, "Till now there has been no impact on the water supply but the supply may stop completely any time in the coming days, hence people should make arrangements to store water in their homes."

However, with this snowfall, which is also the first of the season in the plains of Kashmir, the farmers can breathe easy. An apple farmer from the region said: "I thank God for this snowfall. This has rekindled our hopes for a good harvest as this will help us get water for our crops. I am sure there will be rainfall as well within a month."

Another local said that people were worried for the last few months due to the lack of snowfall and rainfall. "We have got snow after a long time. Tourism was also hit in places like Gulmarg. Now, with this snowfall, apple farmers will be relieved."