Monsoon Leaves Himachal Farmers High and Dry, Govt Silent on Relief
Shimla, Sept 24 – The monsoon may have withdrawn from Himachal, but farmers are staring at barren orchards and battered fields with no sign of help from the government.
According to official figures, over 4.88 lakh hectares of crops have been damaged this season, with apple growers taking the worst hit. Farmers say 20–30% of the apple crop has been destroyed, along with maize, paddy, and vegetables in lower areas.
While the losses run into ₹4,881 crore, the state government has offered little beyond words. “We lost nearly a third of our apple produce, but no compensation or clear plan has come from the government. We are left to fend for ourselves,” lamented an orchardist from Shimla.
The Revenue Department report shows 454 people lost their lives, 674 houses were fully damaged, and infrastructure worh thousands of crores has crumbled. Districts like Mandi, Kangra, Shimla, Kullu, and Chamba bore the maximum brunt. But for the farming community, it’s the crop loss that cuts the deepest.
With the season’s earnings wiped out, small and marginal farmers are questioning how long they can survive without relief.
The silence of the government is now echoing louder than the roar of the monsoon that just passed.
