Lahaul and Spiti, long known as a cold desert with predictable seasons, is now grappling with unsettling climatic changes.

Once characterised by a mild monsoon and heavy winter snowfall, the region has seen a dramatic shift in weather patterns in recent times.

This year, unseasonal heavy snowfall in the first week of October has devastated farmers, particularly those dependent on apple cultivation.

The snow came at a critical time, just when the apple crop was ready for harvesting. Instead of collecting the fruit, farmers watched in despair as their apple-laden trees buckled under the weight of snow, damaging fruit and trees.

Orchards in the Lahaul valley have suffered severe losses and many farmers have reported up to 80 per cent crop damage.

“This is the worst we have seen in years,

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