ZARANJ (Pajhwok): Residents and farmers in southwestern Nimroz province on Saturday said snowfall lashed the province for a second in six years, hoping for enough agriculture produce.
Mohammad Akbar Sharifi, the provincial Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department head, told Pajhwok Afghan News the snow hit Nimroz for a second time this year on Friday night, ending a six-year-old dry spell.
In Zaranj, the provincial capital, citizens measured six centimeters of snow. They were upbeat about a significant increase in agricultural production this year.
They termed the snowfall a good omen for development and improvement of the agriculture as last year’s harvests of melon and water-melon were 170,000 tonnes including 35,000 tonnes of wheat. The harvests were expected to increase by 20 to 30 percent.
“Snowfall leaves a good effect on underground water, it swells up water wells; because Nimroz faces deficit water and underground water wells are utilized.”
He said earlier less rainfall had been predicted in the province; but against the prediction snow fell for a second time and now more rain was expected.
Masood, a resident and a shopkeeper in Zaranj city, said: “Inshallah, there will be more snowing and raining.” He said the snow and rainfalls would increase water in rivers and reduce diseases associated with dry spell.
Mohammad Akbar, a farmer in Nimroz, said: “Even a drop of water when falls from the sky, it gives much pleasure.”
Nimroz is among provinces which lack water. Rain falls in the province four or five times a year and snowfalls with intervals from some six to eight years.
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