Heavy hailstorms and torrential rains devastate Toledo countryside

“The streets are completely flooded, flooded roads and crops in the ground These are the first consequences of yesterday afternoon (Sunday), where in some areas up to 40 to 50 liters per square meter were collected in just a few minutes, according to the first assessments of Asaja Toledo technicians.

As for the affected crops, practically all the woody crops where the hail was concentrated were devastated: olive grove, vineyard, pistachio and almond tree. Only the cereals, already harvested, were spared by the storm.

Although it is still early to make estimates, in the region of La Mancha, hail has damaged the entire area of ​​Cabezamesada and part of the Corral de Almaguer. It is estimated that more than 500 hectares may have suffered the consequences, especially in the culture of vineyardSome early grape varieties, such as Muscat and Chardonnay, had already been harvested.

However, on the verge of becoming widespread vintage campaignthe vast majority of reds, like Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, and from the white Airén, he could suffer damage between 70 and 80 percent. With this in mind, Asaja Toledo technicians recommend harvest as quickly as possible the little fruit that remains in the vineyard to then assess the remaining damage and apply the necessary treatments to the plant.

As for the Mountains of ToledoThe damage is estimated to have covered 150 hectares in the municipality of Marjaliza and 50 others in Los Yébenes, mainly affecting the woody crops such as olive and almond trees. The technicians of the agrarian organization estimate that one part of one olive in three fell to the groundin addition to the damage caused to the plants. As for the almond trees, even though there were fewer plots, the disaster was even greater, since the fruits were already developed and ready to be picked.