Editorial|Weather Vagaries

This year weather gave consistent trouble to us in the valley. It began with very harsh winters, with temperatures dipping way down zero. It disrupted movement of traffic and people within the valley, and across different regions. It also adversely impacted the supplies of water and electricity, this compounding our daily problems. Once the sub-zero temperatures ended, we expected a change that can bring some smile. It was not so. Every now and then rains lashed, and caused the main roads, particularly the one connecting the valley with the outside world, close. This gave immense trouble to valleyites. The businesses were the most affected, and it still continues. The horticulture sector was particularly hit in this situation. Now that summers arrive, and we are in the middle of June, there is no end to weather woes. Just a sunshine for couple of days, and it pelts in the evening.

The rains are so heavy that everything goes out of gear. Market places are inundated, residential areas receives torrents of back flow from drains, and the vehicles on all major roads get stuck in long jams. This is now a regular feature of life here. Not just this, the lightening and thunders have caused greater damage to life and property in many areas. With such a weather the horticulture is bound to suffer, and it has witnessed losses in the beginning itself. The hailstorm has caused good damage to the orchids and it is going to hit the farmers badly. It is true that we have no defences against weather, and we are helpless in the face of natural fury. But there are ways to cover the people who suffer economic losses. In this case one is bound to recall the demands, and these are perennial demands, of the orchidists to provide insurance cover to the orchards. If this would be the case, farmers would not suffer as much losses as they otherwise do. This time around the problem has once again risen to surface. The relevant departments of the government must take this demand seriously and think of the ways these losses can be minimised. 

   

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