Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: Dry weather conditions that prevail across Kashmir have triggered panic among farmers, who have described their worry that the weather will affect the sowing of paddy seeds.
Farmers who are already late in sowing their crops expect no respite as the weather is not in a mood for change.
Those who were storing paddy grains by the end of March had expected rain in the first week of April; however, the sky is depicting something different
Officials of MeT said that against normal rainfall of 188mm in March the region has received just 21.3 mm of precipitation, recording a shortfall of more than 80%.
“The rainfall received during March has been the lowest ever in the last four decades. To add to farmers’ woes, things aren’t looking encouraging this month either – the month that usually sees maximum rainfall,” officials said.
On the other hand, the Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC), Naresh Kumar said that they are in touch with the MeT officials and keeping watch on weather.
“In case there will be no chances of any major forecast for next 2-3 weeks, there may be an issue that we can provide water to only limited farmers and it will be difficult for us to provide water to tail-enders,” he said.
He also said that the absence of rainfall in the coming 2-3 weeks may force them to issue an advisory to farmers not to go for sowing seeds.
Director Agriculture, Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal said that they are working on it and that the department will issue advisory every week.
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