Kupwara, Aug 28: Incessant rains lashed Kupwara district after nearly four months ending the dry spell and giving much needed relief to the people particularly farmers.
The rains started yesterday afternoon and continued to pour today marking a considerable decrease in the soaring temperature. Officials exude hope that the rain will help to end the acute shortage of potable drinking water in the district.  
Pertinently, due to continuous dry spell in past four months, most of the water schemes in the district have been badly affected. In Hayhama, Sohipora, Halmatpora, Lolab  Natnuusa, and Keegam situation was alarming as even the wells and tube wells have dried up.
“Incessant rain will definitely help to recharge water sources and make up for nearly fifty percent deficiency of water and stop misuse of drinking water used for irrigation and construction activity,” officials of PHE said.
Present spell of rain has also cheered up farmers as it will brighten prospectus of bumper crops and fruits and make up for deficiency of fodder. Agricultural experts said the steady and continuous spell of rain have recharged soil moisture “In absence of rains, Kupwara was reeling under drought like conditions. Paddy, maize and vegetable
fields have been badly affected due to the dry spell. But rain poured before the situation could assume horrendous dimensions. We are hopeful that up to fifty percent damaged crops will recover,” experts said.
Apple farmers said the apple trees had started to fade and fruit drop was increasing with each passing day. “Now, we expect a good apple crop this season as fruit size will develop fast due to rains,” said Manzoor Ahmad, a farmer from Handwara.
Farmers in Kandi belt of Kupwara expressed similar views “The continuous dry spell had destroyed maize, potato, walnut and grass pastures. But we expect that it will heal up harvesting in September and October,” they said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST