Showers bring both cheer & agony for farmers

Intermittent showers that lashed the region since midnight have brought cheer to the farmers and city residents. Farmers, who were worried over the early rise in the temperatures affecting the wheat crop, had a sigh of relief.

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“We were worried that the unusual heat at this time of the year would lead to shrinking of grains of the wheat crop, but the rain has come as a blessing. It has decreased the temperatures,” said Gurdev Singh, a local farmer. The showers will help cool down the soil and increase the moisture levels, which is essential for a good harvest. Gurdev Singh said a prolonged winter is always good for the wheat crop.

City residents, who had started to feel the unusual heat, also welcomed the sudden change in weather. “It’s a welcome relief from the heat,” said Ramesh Kumar, a city resident, adding that rain has brought down the temperatures and the air feels fresh and clean.”

Rain, which continued till Thursday evening, brought a substantial fall in temperature, with residents in some areas even reporting hailstones. Agriculture official Tajinder Singh said rain is good for crops, adding that the farmers, who had not irrigated their fields, need not irrigate their fields for some days.

“Even rain has washed away the dust and suspended particles in the air,” said Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur. She said cases of breathing-related issues, especially among those with respiratory problems, would automatically go down if the air is clean.

As the rain clears up, residents are enjoying the cool and pleasant weather. “It’s a lovely feeling to walk outside without feeling the heat. We hope the weather stays like this for a while longer,” said Sarita Gupta, a city resident.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rain lashed all parts of the district on Thursday. Even some areas witnessed heavy hailstorm. Most of the farmers welcomed the rain, saying it will lead to a dip in temperature which had increased unusually in the last few days.

Farmers from Patti area reported a heavy loss of nakh (fruit) as it had started was in the flowering stage and heavy rain and hailstorm caused a great loss to horticulture farming.

Rain, which started at last night, continued to lash intermittently the district throughout the day. Hailstorm was also reported from Tarn Taran and Patti villages in the afternoon.

Tajinderpal Singh, a farmer of Rasulpur village, said rain led to flattening of the early varieties of wheat crop, which were nearing the maturing stage.

Harpal Singh Pannu, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), said that on Thursday morning, Tarn Taran tehsil recorded 16.4 mm rain followed by 12 mm in Patti and 3 mm in Khadoor Sahib tehsil. The CAO said rain at this time is very beneficial for the wheat crop and other rabi crops.

Gurpreet Singh Sabhra, farmer and former Zila Parishad member, and farmer Harpal Singh of Balehr village said reports of rain were also reported from Khemkaran, Valtoha, Khalra, Bhikhiwind, Chabal, Sarai Amanat Khan, Harike, Khadoor Sahib, Chohla Sahib and other parts of the district. They said the rain is beneficial for rabi crops.