SHIMLA: An unusual burst of winter-like weather has gripped Himachal Pradesh in early April, bringing heavy snowfall, rain and hailstorms that have disrupted travel and pushed apple farmers into a deepening crisis.
An active western disturbance has turned the state’s spring into a cold snap, with high-altitude areas blanketed in fresh snow and lower regions lashed by rain and gusty winds. The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert across several districts, warning of continued heavy precipitation and strong winds through April 9.
The situation is particularly severe around the Atal Tunnel, where heavy snowfall has made roads dangerously slippery. Traffic has been hit hard, with vehicles skidding and long snarls reported. Authorities have restricted movement, allowing only suitable vehicles after clearance operations by road agencies, while rescue teams have assisted stranded tourists.
In Shimla, the mood is more wet than white. Rain has swept across key spots such as Mall Road and The Ridge, dragging temperatures down and bringing a sharp chill more typical of winter than spring. Forecasts also warn of hailstorms and winds reaching up to 60 kmph.
Elsewhere, regions including Kullu and Mandi remain on alert, while higher reaches such as Kufri, Narkanda and Solang Valley have seen intermittent snowfall and sleet. In Lahaul-Spiti, thick snow cover has forced residents to actively clear roads to maintain connectivity.
Beyond the immediate disruption, the weather has dealt a heavy blow to the state’s apple belt. April marks the crucial flowering phase for orchards, but the sudden cold has stalled pollination as bees remain inactive in low temperatures. Without pollination, flowers risk falling off without setting fruit, raising fears of a near-zero yield season.
Adding to the damage, anti-hail nets, meant to protect orchards, have collapsed under the weight of wet snow. In many cases, the structures have crushed branches and even snapped mature trees, wiping out years of growth and investment in a matter of hours.
The cold and moisture have also increased the risk of frost damage and fungal diseases, compounding farmers’ worries. With infrastructure losses running into lakhs and yields under threat, local farming groups are calling for immediate damage assessments and compensation.
For now, the focus remains on safety and survival, both on the roads and in the orchards. As Himachal waits for the weather to ease, the bigger concern is clear. This spring chill may leave a long-lasting freeze on the state’s apple economy.
