Key Takeaways:

• Around 100,000 kg of apples from one major orchard remain stranded in Manaslu
• Floods washed away roads and bridges linking northern Gorkha to markets
• Farmers cannot use mule transport or apple dryers due to infrastructure damage
• Large quantities of harvested apples risk spoiling in storage facilities

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 30 Thousands of kilograms of apples harvested in the Manaslu region are sitting unsold in warehouses after floods washed away roads and bridges, cutting off one of northern Gorkha's most important sources of income during the peak harvest season. Among those hit hardest is apple grower and trader Lakpa Dundup Lama, whose orchard in Namrung produced about 100,000 kilograms of apples this year. With transport routes still severed, much of the harvest remains stranded despite strong market demand. The disruption began after an avalanche blocked the Ungilung stream on October 11, triggering destructive flooding in the Budhi Gandaki River. The flood swept away bridges, roads and sections of the Benighat-Aarughat-Larke route, the main transport corridor linking the Manaslu region with markets outside the district. While authorities have reopened portions of the route for foot traffic, mule transport remains impossible. For apple growers, that has effectively cut off the only affordable way to move produce to market. The situation is particularly painful because this year's harvest was strong. Lama's farm, operated under In Gorkha Product Pvt Ltd, grows five commercial varieties including Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, King Delicious and Fuji. But apples harvested weeks ago have already begun deteriorating in storage. The floods have also knocked out another lifeline. A flash flood destroyed a micro-hydropower plant in September, leaving the area without electricity and preventing farmers from using dryers to preserve surplus apples. Helicopter transport is considered too expensive, while traditional mule transport, despite causing significant losses from bruising and spoilage, is no longer an option because damaged trails remain inaccessible. Some farmers have turned to sun-drying apples or producing dried fruit and alcoholic beverages, but growers say those alternatives can absorb only a fraction of the harvest. With roads still blocked and storage capacity limited, farmers fear a large share of this year's crop could be lost before it ever reaches consumers. (With inputs from RSS)