Unusual rain, snow in parts of Kashmir cause distress among apple, cherry farmers

Kashmir received extensive rains and snowfall in many upper parts of the Valley in April.

Unusual rain and snow in Kashmir this month have caused distress among apple, cherry and pear farmers who claimed that the sporadic change in weather would damage the flower buds in this spring season. Kashmir received heavy showers and snowfall in several upper parts of the Valley in April.“The rainfall has created problems. It will damage the flower buds. We will get to know the exact extent of the damage in the upcoming weeks," said Bilal Ahmed, a fruit grower in the Shopian district of the Valley. Other farmers said they are worried because they couldn’t spray necessary fertilisers and other medicine on the trees, causing fungus formation on huge boroughs. Now that rains have stopped, the farmers have to try to save as much as they can.