Himachal Pradesh is battling a dry spell and lack of snowfall, raising alarm among apple growers and experts about the upcoming apple crop. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dry conditions are expected to continue over the state for the next week with temperatures rising by 2 to 5 degrees Celsius. Since mid-October, the state has seen nearly no rain or snow, with November 95% and December 99% below normal rainfall. "We are witnessing unusual dry weather conditions this winter season," said Sandeep Kumar Sharma, senior scientist at IMD Shimla. Apple growers warn this could harm crop yield and quality. New plantations are especially vulnerable. Bhupinder Sharma from Kotgarh village said, "No snow is a bad sign. Apple trees need cold hours between January and February to bloom and fruit well. Without snow, flowering is poor, buds break unevenly, and fruit sets reduce." He explained snow also keeps soil moist for roots and limits pests. Without it, trees dry out and pest problems may increase, leading to lower yields and economic loss. Apple farming supports over 1.5 lakh families and earns ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 crore annually in Himachal Pradesh. Horticulture scientist S.P. Bhardwaj noted that cold enough conditions may help chilling hours but absence of snow still threatens the crop. "Snow acts as insulation and controls pests and diseases. Its lack raises pest risks and could hurt the apple season," he said. The apple industry, a crucial part of Himachal's economy, now watches anxiously as dry weather and missing snowfall cast a shadow over the 2026 harvest.