Umbrellas out: Rain bodes well for farmers, ill people

FAISALABAD: Rain showers were welcomed in Faisalabad after a protracted dry spell. The Met Office recorded up to 8mm rain in various parts of the district on Tuesday night and Wednesday. Several agriculture experts said wheat farmers should consider the rain a blessing. Several doctors said that the rain signalled an end to cold and flu outbreaks. Dr Ejaz Ahmed, a medical officer, said foggy weather had dominated the season and had led to an outbreak of several seasonal illnesses. “The rain showers are like a breath of fresh air, especially for children...they are prone to falling ill in winter,” he said. Cold and flu spread quickly in cold and dry weather, he said. Agricultural expert Dr Muhammad Arshad said the canals had been closed for the season. What with the shortage of diesel and protracted dry weather, wheat farmers were left in desperate need for water for crops. “This rain spell will help seed germination and will hopefully enhance wheat yield for most farmers,” he said.  The Met Office forecast more rain for the district in the next 24 hours. Maximum temperature recorded on Wednesday was 12 Centigrade while the minimum temperature recorded was 4 Centigrade.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2015.