Rain aftermath

Torrential rains and hailstorms flatten wheat and gram crops to the ground in certain districts

The intermittent spells of rains that started in January must have helped overcome water shortage, raising the ground-water table and filling up the reservoirs and dams.

This unusual onset of rains which is attributed to changing pattern of climate the world over was initially welcomed in January as a blessing for seasonal crops. The farmer communities were happy with this spell hoping that it would contribute to bumper production of various crops, in Punjab and Sindh.

Agriculture experts amid continuing spell even in February estimated an increased wheat production, especial in southern and central regions of Punjab where the wheat plant was still green. On the contrary the farmers in Sindh feared that this continued spell of rain would have damaged the wheat crop which was ready to be harvested.

However, as the rains continued through March and April, there are reports of extensive damage to the wheat crop in different regions of Punjab.

Accompanied by gusty winds and dust storms, these rains in recent days not only claimed a few lives, but caused damage to some property in Punjab, Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Sindh. But the greatest damage is reported to have been caused to the wheat and gram crops, mostly in central and southern Punjab regions.

Torrential rains and hailstorms are reported to have flattened wheat and gram crops to the ground in certain districts. According to some reports, the rains have also damaged mango and date orchards. The farmers in all the wheat growing areas of Punjab are really concerned about the remaining crops that have survived the rains and farmers are seeking the government’s help in this regard.

Some agriculture experts had estimated increase in cotton production but now fear that with these rains and hailstorm, which are likely to affect the cotton sowing, they may not be able to achieve estimated targets.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2019.

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