GORKHA: Apples produced in the Manaslu region of northern Gorkha remain stranded in warehouses after floods in the Budhigandaki River washed away bridges and roads.
Businessman Lakpa Dundup Lama lamented that they have been forced to keep the apples in storage due to the complete lack of transportation options.
An avalanche in mid-October in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6 blocked the Ungilung Khola (stream) and the resulting flood swept away numerous bridges and road sections along the banks of the Budhigandaki River, severely disrupting movement. The Benighat-Arughat-Larke road has also been obstructed.
Lama cultivates various apple varieties in an orchard located at an altitude of 2,650 meters in Namrung, Chumnubri Rural Municipality-4. He states that 100,000 kilograms of apples were produced this year at his apple farm.
Transportation challenges for apples produced in the Manaslu region are an annual occurrence. However, this year, the floods have exacerbated these difficulties. It takes about a week to transport apples grown in Namrung and surrounding areas to the market using mules.
In the process, 20 to 25 percent of the produce is lost. Farmers explain that significant wastage occurs because the apples get bruised against narrow trails and wilt due to exposure to the sun.
With the floods making transportation nearly impossible, farmers have resorted to sun-drying apples to make dried apple slices and producing alcoholic beverages.
For those with large harvests, there is no other choice but to process some into dried slices or alcohol and let the rest to rot, laments businessperson Lakpa Dundup.
