The prolonged dry spell in Kashmir had left apple farmers anxious about the sustainability of their livelihoods.
The prolonged arid spell had instilled anxiety among the apple cultivators regarding the sustainability of their means of subsistence. The dearth of snow posed a significant concern as it risked triggering premature blossoming of the apple orchards, thereby adversely affecting the ensuing harvest.
Furthermore, the belated snowfall posed a threat to the overall agricultural output, causing distress within Kashmir’s farming sector. Staple crops such as mustard, wheat, and barley were also under jeopardy due to inadequate irrigation facilities. With scanty rainfall and negligible snowfall, the region was grappling with a scarcity of water in its rivers and streams. Notably, the water level in the Jhelum river plummeted to a record low, sinking one meter below the minimum mark, a historical occurrence spanning over 1,115 years.