The rain began on the first day of the holiday and continued throughout, causing devastating damage to all of Malatya’s apricot growers who were preparing their crop for drying. The apricots left on the trees were also hit by the rain and winds.
Deputy Chairman of the Republican People’s Party, Veli Agbaba said ''Malatya has experienced disaster after disaster this year. Between the 17th and 21st of April, frost damaged almost all of the apricots in the region. On the 24th May hail damaged the apricots which managed to survive the frost. The apricots that managed to survive the frost and hail were ruined by the heavy rains over the holiday.’’
After every natural disaster, the apricot growers have issued reasonable demands for support, explains Agbaba ''Malatya’s economy relies on apricots, everyone is closely affected. Frost, hail and heavy rains indicate that Malatya’s economy will suffer a huge crisis this year.’’
