An exceptional and anomalic hailstorm covered Darjeeling, India white on April 1, 2016.
The unprecedent storm and heavy winds covered the town in more than 4 inches of ice stones in just an hour. Insane.
This is not snow! No an extreme hailstorm whtitened Darjeeling.
But this icy Darjeeling was greeted with much enthusiasm by local residents and tourists alike.
Tea planters are concerned about the damage done to the first flush.
Darjeeling produces around 8 million kg of tea annually.
Hailstones will definitely affect the first flush.
But damages still have to be analyzed.
The first flush plucking starts from end of February untill end of April and constitutes around 15-20 % of the total annual tea production.
This storm is now sweeping across north Bengal.
Similar extreme hailstorms are forecast along the path and will mainly affect Sikkim and the area around.
The city of Darjeeling really looks like snow paradise!
Take care and be prudent!
