Light rain across region brings cheer; good for health and crops, say experts

PATIALA/AMRITSAR : People in several places in Punjab and Haryana woke up to rain on Tuesday. However, the rainfall, stated to be good for human health and for crops, was not expected to last beyond the day.

“After light rain on Tuesday night, the sky will again turn clear on Wednesday,” said an official of the meteorological department in Patiala. Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, braved cold weather at 8.5 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal, said an official of the meteorological department.

The first rain spell in the New Year covered Amritsar and Patiala and thus the maximum temperature dipped. For instance, maximum temperature in Amritsar was 13 degrees Celsius, six notches below normal. Mohali, Faridkot, Ludhiana, Bhiwani and Jind were among the areas that received showers in the past 24 hours.

Rain in the prevailing weather conditions will be beneficial for the crops, particularly wheat, said experts and officials.

Punjab’s agriculture director Dr Jasbir Singh Bains said that light showers at this stage are apt for the development of wheat and other rabi crops. “These crops are presently in their vege- tative growth. These conditions will help increase growth and yield. Watering at this point of time is very good for wheat crop; particularly, drizzling gives enough time for soil to absorb the water,” he said.

Minimum temperatures of Bathinda and Faridkot were recorded at 4.8 and 8.5 degrees Celsius. In Haryana, Ambala’s minimum settled at 10.2 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal, while Hisar, Karnal and Narnaul recorded their lows at 11.3, 8.5 and 8 degrees Celsius respectively.

Chief agriculture officer for Amritsar, Dalbir Singh Chhina too said the light rain is good for wheat and have a positive impact on the quality of grain and peracre yield.

“Wheat crop needs low temperature, but for the past few days the temperature had not gone down much. The rain has made the weather favourable for vegetables too,” he said.

“For humans, it’s good that dry weather and air pollution have gone down with the rain,” said Dr Raju Chauhan, health director for municipal corporation of Amritsar, while senior medical officer (SMO) Dr Rajinder Arora elaborated, “Hanging dust particles were causing allergic diseases and infections. Rain has settled them down. Increased moisture in the air also helps fight diseases.”