Changes in atmospheric conditions: farmers fear negative impact on crop production

February rains and snowfalls were expected to be below the normal due to abrupt change in regional and global atmospheric conditions and the farmers fear that this would have a negative impact on the production of wheat, sugarcane and other crops.
According to Pakistan Meteo-rological Department on Thursday, as a consequence of sudden change in regional and global atmospheric conditions, such as La Nina conditions in the tropical region, the precipitation over Pakistan may suppress during the current and coming months.
Hence, on the basis of prevailing changes in atmospheric conditions, the rainfall and snowfall during February were expected to be below than the normal in the country. However, during the month of January, rainfalls in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Muzaffarabad were recorded above the normal.
Islamabad received 77.4 mm as against normal of 59.6 mm, Lahore 24 mm against 22.9 mm, Peshawar 50 mm against 30.8 mm, Quetta 69 mm against 64 mm and Muzaffarabad 111.4 mm against 105.9 mm. For the next 24 hours, cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country. However, isolated rain-snowfall may occur in Kashmir and adjoining areas.
Meanwhile, the Co-ordinator, Punjab Water Council and a progressive grower, Chaudhry Hamid Malhi reacting to this prediction of below to the normal rains in the month of February saying that it would definitely have a negative impact on the production of wheat, sugarcane and other crops.
He said Punjab was already facing a 35 percent shortage of water, as total available water is 2.5 MAF in Pakistani storage. Further, he also said the biggest impact would be on 'Barani' areas and the areas where underground water is brackish. He said 70 percent of the underground water in the province of Punjab was brackish.
A good rain spell was being anticipated in the province this year, which helps in recharging underground water, but it seems this will not happen, he added. Malhi further stated that whenever the country has a good wheat crop, it was due to good rains, which multiplied the production in the Barani areas, thus helping the country to get surplus wheat.