The sunny side of rainfall in the capital

The second spell of rain bodes well for crops, water reservoirs and food businesses.

ISLAMABAD: The rain that started on Saturday evening has spelt good news not only for the crops but also vendors.

Chaudhary Aziz, owner of Karachi Biryani House in Aabpara Market, said that the demand for dhood jalebi, Kashmiri tea, samosas
and biryani go up when it rains.

Kamran Saleem sets up a soup stall outside a bakery because people like soup in winters. “Soup sells only in winter,” he said, “And the rain just amplifies the demand.”

However not all vendors look forward to the rain. Sher Mohammad, who sells French Fries, said that his sales shoot up during winters. But rain and wind make them go down.

Asif Abbas of Pakistan pan shop said that he has to keep his shop open the whole day during winters in order to generate enough revenue. “In summers, the shop is only open during the evening and the sales are better. But in winters, I have to keep the shop open the entire day,” he said. Rain, naturally, doesn’t help.

Mohammad Ahmed, who sells bun kababs, believes that the sales vary according to people’s demands the weather doesn’t really play a role.

Capital climate advisor Dr Qamaruz Zaman told The Express Tribune that the stretch in the dry spell was somewhat alarming till the rain began. However, the current spell will be “especially beneficial” for crops.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department, rainfall in the last 24 hours was 31mm in Rawalpindi, 29mm in Dir, 27mm in Islamabad, 26mm in Rawalakot, 25mm in Jehlum, and 21mm in Muzafarabad. Snowfall recorded was 2ft in Kashmir and 1.3ft in Nathiagali and Murree.

With the current spell expected to last another 24 hours, the snowfall will help with water reservoirs, especially in Rawal and Simli dams, Dr Zaman said. “It was much needed.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2012.