Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), July 18 (ANI): As heavy monsoon rains brought an end to a prolonged dry spell in Himanchal Pradesh’s Kullu region, farmers and local resident all around were delighted to welcome rains.

Apple farmers, in particular, were ecstatic to witness the heavy rains, as everyone was of the view that this rains would benefit their apple crops.

On Saturday, heavy rains drenched the parched apple orchards in the area. Earlier, farmers had feared a poor apple yield as the region had sporadic and scanty showers so far. Today’s rains, however, revived everyone’s hopes of a better and bountiful produce.

The heavy rain also brought the temperature down, bringing a sense of major relief among one and all.

“It has rained after a long spell of drought. For the past three-four days it had been drizzling intermittently but it did not have any effect on the weather. However, today it has been raining heavily since morning. It has cooled the weather and secondly it’s good for the apple crop,” said Jai Prakash Sharma, a local resident.

About 80 percent of the people in the state are directly or indirectly associated with the apple business and monsoon is crucial for apples and other summer-sown crops like paddy, soybean, sugarcane and cotton.

Any fluctuation in the apple production or business directly affects the people associated with either growing of or trading in apples.

Good rains also boost rural demand for a range of products and are a key factor in determining expansion in the larger economy. (ANI)