Farmers’ hopes dashed, courtesy squall, rain

Tribune News Service
Bathinda, April 16

Heavy dust storm coupled with moderate rain dashed the hopes of farmers as they were gearing up to reap their harvest in a few days. Untimely rain has kept farmers on tenterhooks with the wheat and other vegetable crops standing fully grown in the fields.

As per the weather forecast released by the Indian Meteorological Department, thunderstorm accompanied with rain was expected to occur in Bathinda. As per the forecast, the weather is expected to remain the same in the next 48 hours as well.

As per the IMD, city received 8.6 mm rain last night and the wind kept blowing in the city at a speed of 3.3 km per hour. The rain has also led to decrease in temperature as maximum temperature was recorded at 30.5°C on Tuesday and minimum at 18°C.

After almost two weeks of harsh sun, a fresh western disturbance hit the area in the beginning of this week forcing the maximum and minimum temperatures to drop on Monday and Tuesday.

Apart from the sporadic incidents of rainfall and thunderstorms, the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 34°C and 18°C.

Balkaran Singh Brar, a farmer from Balhar Vinju village, said: “Only 2 per cent of the crop has been harvested so far. Harvesting of wheat was to start today, but the last-night rain has further delayed harvesting for 2-3 days due to high moisture added to the crop by rain.”

He said weather forecast is set to affect farmers hard as rain now will decrease the yield and damage the crop, while this year agriculture experts were claiming a bumper crop.

BKU Ekta Ugrahan district president Shingara Singh Mann said: “The rain last night has affected the wheat crop at many places in the district. The Agriculture Department should prepare a report on this.”

Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Gurditta Singh Brar said: “No damage has been reported due to the last night’s rain in the district, but if it rains more, then it surely is a reason to worry.”