Weather Department Predicts Heavy Rains, Thunderstorms in Jammu and Kashmir. Farmers Worried

Srinagar: Following the incessant overnight rain, the weather office in Kashmir Valley on Monday issued a warning forecasting heavy rains and thunderstorms during the next 24 hours .

"Moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms is expected at most places in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours. Gusty winds and hailstorm are also expected at some places", Sonam Lotus, director of the MeT Office told Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) in Srinagar.

The minimum temperatures across Kashmir Valley also dipped because of inclement weather.

The minimum temperature came down to 10 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, 20 degrees in Jammu and 7 degrees in Leh on Monday.

Heavy rainfall is causing serious concern to farmers and orchardists in the state as residents in Srinagar worry about the weak embankments of the Jhelum river that were breached by the unprecedented floods in September last year and have not been fully reinforced yet.

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"The embankment at our area is weak and had been plugged with sandbags after last year's floods. It has still not been properly restored and reinforced," said Muzaffar, 45, a resident of Shivpora area in Srinagar.

Farmers are worried about the paddy nurseries those can suffer damage due to cold weather. "So much rain brings down the temperature and rice seeds need good temperature to germinate", said Ghulam Ahmad Rather, a farmer in Ganderbal district.

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Fruit growers, also, have their concerns due to the ongoing rains.

"Heavy rain in early spring season did not allow proper spraying of orchards as pesticide and fungicide sprays need dry weather for some days. The rain can cause serious damage to this year's fruit production", said Zaffar, 37, an orchardist in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore town.

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