Rain brings relief to residents, farmers
Ludhiana to witness scattered showers for coming week
The city received a fresh spell of rain on Sunday, bringing much-needed relief from the soaring March temperatures. The showers cooled the city, with the minimum temperature settling at 15.4°C and the maximum at 29.8°C.
Residents welcomed the change in weather. “The heat was becoming unbearable over the past few days. Today’s rain has made the atmosphere pleasant again,” said Varinder Singh, who runs a shop at Ghumar Mandi. College student Simran Kaur said, “It feels refreshing to step out after the dip in temperature. The city looks washed and lively.”
The showers are expected to benefit the wheat crop, which had been under stress due to unusually high temperatures during the current month. “The rain has cooled down the fields and improved soil moisture. It will help in grain filling, which is crucial at this stage,” said Harbhajan Singh, a farmer from Doraha.
Dr PK Kingra, Head, Department of Agricultural Meteorology and Climate Change, Punjab Agricultural University, said, “There are chances of thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) along with light to moderate rain tomorrow as well, and between March 18 and 20 in Ludhiana and adjoining areas.”
The city, which had been reeling under an early summer spell, is looking forward to a few more days of respite as the weather department predicts scattered showers for the coming week.
