Ladakh: Heavy snowfall disrupts life, devastates Apricot Orchards

A sudden heavy snowfall blanketed large parts of Ladakh on Sunday, plunging daily life into disarray—particularly in Kargil district—at a time when the region was celebrating the vibrant apricot blossom season. The picturesque apricot blossoms that brought joy and festivity to Ladakh just days ago have now given way to heartbreak and hardship for local farmers, as unseasonal heavy snowfall and rainfall battered orchards across the Kargil district, causing widespread destruction and economic despair. Villages in Ladakh have reported severe crop damage.
Heavy snow and relentless rainfall brought unexpected devastation to orchards and farm fields, severely hitting apple and apricot cultivation in villages.The Srinagar-Leh National Highway came to a standstill following major landslides near Lamayuru, while the Kargil-Zanskar road was sealed to ensure public safety. Electricity supply to multiple localities was knocked out, and fallen snow-covered trees created additional hazards.Snow clearance machinery and ground teams from the Mechanical Department have been deployed across both main highways and inner village roads. The Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Kargil directed the closure of all government and private schools for three days—April 21 to 23. The IMD cautioned that the risk of avalanches, flash floods, landslides, and falling rocks remains high across several areas. Citizens, tourists, and officials have been strongly advised to exercise caution and, if possible, relocate to safer locations until the region stabilizes.