Sun Sep 14 05:44:31 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
**News Article:**
**Kashmir’s Apple Industry Reels From Floods; Railways Offer Lifeline**
**Srinagar, September 14, 2025** – Relentless rain and unprecedented flooding have devastated Kashmir’s apple orchards, threatening the livelihoods of millions and crippling the region’s ₹10,000-crore horticulture industry. Incessant rainfall caused widespread submersion of orchards, leading to fruit rot and premature fall. Landslides also shut down the crucial National Highway linking Kashmir to the rest of India, stranding thousands of trucks laden with apples.
Fruit traders estimate losses between ₹500 crore and ₹700 crore due to damaged crops and logistical bottlenecks. The highway closure, lasting nine days, exacerbated post-harvest losses, as perishable goods spoiled in transit. The apple harvesting season, typically a period of prosperity for the region, has turned into a nightmare for farmers and traders alike.
In response to the crisis, the Union Railway Minister announced the commencement of a dedicated fruit train service from Budgam to New Delhi, with the first train departing on September 15. This initiative aims to provide a much-needed alternative route for transporting apples to markets across India. However, fruit traders are urging the Railways to increase the frequency of trains and the number of available coaches, as the current capacity is insufficient to meet the demand.
While the railway service offers a glimmer of hope, the combined impact of crop damage and logistical challenges poses a significant threat to the region’s economy and the well-being of the families dependent on apple cultivation. The long-term effects of the flooding on the health of the apple trees also remain a concern.
First Piper 