Incessant rain triggered by the low pressure in the Bay of Bengal lashed the Ongole city and other parts of Prakasam district on Friday, bring the much-needed respite to the denizens from the scorching heat and kindling the hope among the farmers for a good kharif crop.
People, who were huffing and puffing owing to the sultry weather in the wake of prolonged dry spell for long, heaved a sigh of relief as light to moderate rain lashed a major part of the Prakasam district all through the day, leaving the low-lying areas under a sheet of water, giving tough time to the motorists driving on the bumpy roads.
In the last 24 hours, Ongole received a rainfall of 7 mm followed by Ulavapadu (4.8mm), Kumarole (3.6mm), Santhamagaluru(3.4mm), Ardhaveedu (3.2 mm) and C.S.Puram (2 mm). “The rain has brought a smile on the farmers. It will be beneficial to the standing crops and farmers can now go ahead with the land preparation for rain-fed crops this kharif,” said Agriculture Joint Director P.V. Sriramamurthy.
The southwest monsoon, which played truant in June, has become active again, reducing the overall deficit to 27% from 50% last month, he told
The Hindu
.
Farming on fast track
Meanwhile, the crop coverage has improved to 7,000 hectares from 3,000 hectares earlier this week with the district receiving 60.6 mm rainfall till date as against the normal of 83.7 mm, Mr. Sriramamurthy said, adding that the crop acreage was sure to improve in a fortnight or so. The drought-prone western parts also received isolated rains, giving impetus to the farm operations.
‘More rain expected’
Weather officials have said that more rains for the drought-prone district is expected as another low pressure area is likely to form over the north Bay of Bengal and its neighbourhood next week.
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