Dharamshala, April 20 -- While the recent unseasonal rain and snowfall in Himachal caused damage to various crops, including apples in some parts of the state, the rainfall in March and April in the lower regions turned out to be a boon for tea planters.

In the Kangra valley, tea plucking has started on a positive note this year. The rainfall in March and April has helped produce good quality tea leaves. Tea planters say a good spring flush is being observed after a gap of almost two years. It will boost the yield if weather remains favourable in the coming months, they say.

In Himachal, tea is primarily grown in Kangra district, and the crop is largely rain-fed with limited irrigation facilities. Around 40% of the crop is usually harve...