Winter rain: Farmers, sneezing citizens rejoice

First significant rainy spell of season will help increase wheat yields, relieve health problems caused by dry spell.

RAWALPINDI:

The fresh spell of rain in the Potohar region brought good news for drought-hit farmers, as agriculturists hope for a 200,000 ton increase in wheat yields thanks to the ongoing spell of rain. 

The long dry spell badly-affected wheat crops in the Potohar region, but after Monday’s rain, experts predict better results.

“Earlier, the Potohar region used to produce 1.5 million tons wheat, but due to a prolonged dry spell this year, production was estimated to fall to 700,000 tons. However, after the ongoing rain spell, we are hoping for 900,000 tons,” said, Professor Fiazul Hasan Sahi, chairman of the Arid Agriculture University Agronomy Department.

He said that the fresh spell of rain has saved the wheat crops from complete failure as now, the crops is in its final stages and this rain will have a positive impact on it.

This was the first significant instance of rainfall in the arid Potohar region this winter. The region falls within Rawalpindi Division and comprises of four districts — Chakwal, Attock, Jehlum and Rawalpindi itself.

“Better late than never...farmers will benefit to some extent,” Sahi added.

“Earlier, there was a dark picture for the wheat crop, but now we are expecting a far better yield,” said, Dr Nadeem Abbasi, chairman of the Arid Agriculture University Horticulture Department.

He said that vegetable and fruits growers would also benefit from current rain as the next couple of weeks are the period in which bud development will take place.

Met Department Director General Dr Arif Mahmood said that 20 millimetres (mm) of rain was recorded in Rawalpindi on Monday and 17mm in Islamabad. He said widespread rains are expected in Islamabad and Rawalpindi Division in the next 24 hours, adding that an intensified spell of rains will hit the region on Thursday.

“The next two-day spell of intensified rain will be starting from Thursday, he said.

According to the Met department, on Monday Murree received two inches of snow. However, according to locals, there was no upsurge in tourists. “There are two to three inches of snow in Murree from the Mall to Bansra Gali, while snow fall also hit the Galyat area. However, all roads are clear,” according to a Murree traffic warden.

The Met DG said Murree will receive see more snow on Thursday and Friday.

Breathing room

Besides bringing good news for farmers, Monday’s rain also brought relief to residents of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, who were suffering from ailments due to the dry spell.  For the last three months, outpatient departments (OPDs) at all the major hospitals in the twin cities are flooded with people suffering from viral infections, the common cold and asthma. Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) alone was receiving over 100 such patients every day.

The rain will help bring the number of allergy, cough and viral infection cases down in hospitals said civic agency Health Director Dr Hasan Orooj.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2014.