Rain cheer for farmers

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 21

The 16.8-mm rain on Friday brought down the temperature in the city and provided relief to farmers, who had been anxious after the sudden increase in temperature over the past two weeks. The showers brought back a chill in the air again.

According to the Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature recorded on Friday was 12.4 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature was 21 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature on Thursday was 24.2 degrees Celsius and on Tuesday, it was recorded at 25.6 degrees Celsius.

Agriculture experts have said the showers would be beneficial for the wheat crop. The Agriculture Development Officer, Jaswinder Kumar, said: “The mild rain will prove to be a boon for the wheat, mustard and grams crops in the district. Cold weather conditions that the rain has resulted in are conducive for the growth of the wheat crop.”

However, some commuters faced some inconvenience as rainwater got accumulated on some roads. Travellers on Goniana Road, Sirki Bazaar, Powerhouse Road, Bhatti Road, Parasram Nagar and Partap Nagar had to wade through waterlogged roads.

Commuters rued that though the Municipal Corporation collected a large sum of money in the form of taxes, it had failed to provide basic amenities to the people. Though the issue of the faulty sewerage system was in the knowledge of the civic body, it had not initiated any step in this regard, they said.