RAWALPINDI: The recent spell of rain in the twin cities will hopefully put an end to several health problems created by pollen, according to District Health Officer Waqar Ahmed.

The Met Office has predicted more rain till Monday afternoon. Agriculturalists have said that rain fall will positively impact wheat and olive crops.

About 15 millimetres of rain was recorded at Chaklala, 18mm at Shamsabad in Rawalpindi while 15mm at Zero point, 11mm at Golra, 13mm at Saidpur and 16mm at Bokra in Islamabad.

According to an official, a westerly wave is affecting western and upper/central parts of the country and may persist in upper parts till Thursday. He said that mainly dry weather was expected in central and southern parts of the country. However, rain-wind/thunderstorm (snow over the hills) is expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, north Balochistan, upper/central Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad and Kashmir.

The lowest minimum temperatures recorded during the period were in Leh (-3°C), Astore (-2°C), Kalam (-1°C), Pulwama and Baramulla (0°C).

APP ADDS: Furthermore, the recent spell of rains will positively affect the wheat and olive crops, said former director of the Agriculture Department Dr Shahid Sajjad.

He said that rain-fed areas of the Potohar region were dependent on rains for both rabi and kharif crops and the present spell of rains will hopefully have a good impact on the standing wheat.

In contrast, the gram crop was expected to be a significant beneficiary, Dr Shahid said, adding that the rains would increase per acre yield and enhance the overall wheat production in the country.

However, he advised the gram growers to be careful and take appropriate measures in consultation with agriculture experts in order to save gram crops from damage.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2022