100,000 kg of Manaslu apples stranded after floods wash away transport routes
Summary
Floods have washed away roads and bridges linking Manaslu’s apple-growing area to markets, leaving about 100,000 kg of apples stranded in storage. Farmers in northern Gorkha say the damaged transport routes and power cuts are putting much of this year’s harvest at risk of spoilage.
Key Points
- Floods and an avalanche-related river blockage destroyed roads and bridges on the Benighat-Aarughat-Larke route, cutting off transport from Manaslu to outside markets.
- Apple grower Lakpa Dundup Lama says about 100,000 kilograms of apples from his Namrung orchard are stranded despite strong demand.
- Mule transport is no longer possible and helicopter transport is too expensive, leaving farmers with limited options to move produce.
- Power damage from a separate flash flood has also stopped farmers from using dryers to preserve surplus apples.
