A durian orchard owner has suffered heavy losses after a sudden storm destroyed an estimated four tonnes of fruit just days before harvest.
Arreeya Singphong shared photos and videos on Facebook showing the aftermath of the incident at her orchard in Ban Bo Ling, Soeng Sang district, where durians were seen scattered across the ground following the storm.
The footage revealed hundreds of fruits, both large and small, strewn across the plantation and later gathered into large piles. The total loss is estimated at around four tonnes, representing a significant financial blow.
Speaking to reporters, Arreeya said the damage occurred after a summer storm with strong winds swept through the area on the evening of May 2, lasting about 15 minutes.
Upon inspecting the orchard after the storm, she discovered that most of the fallen durians were about 80 days old and nearing maturity, making the loss particularly devastating.
She added that the fallen fruits are no longer suitable for commercial processing, including being made into fried durian products.
At best, the damaged produce may be distributed to local villagers for cooking, but if there are no takers, it will have to be discarded entirely.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of agricultural producers to unpredictable weather conditions, especially during critical harvesting periods, which can result in substantial losses within minutes.
