MIRPURKHAS: Heavy rain accompanied by dust storm and gusty winds battered several Sindh towns on Saturday, causing a drop in temperature and bringing smiles to the faces of water-starved farmers, particularly in lower region of the province.

In Mirpurkhas district, light rainfall and dust storm struck Digri, Tando Jan Mohammad and Jhuddo towns and their adjoining areas, bringing an end to days of intense heat.

People came out of their homes to enjoy the rainfall, which continued for half an hour. Farmers expressed joy at the rain as their cultivated crops of cotton, chilli and sugar cane were in need of water amid shortage of irrigation water.

BADIN: Heavy rain and dust storm lashed Badin, Nindo Shahar, Tando Bago, Shadi Large, Khoski and other towns of the district, blowing away shutters of many shops.

It started raining at 7.10 pm in Badin and continued for 13 minutes. Rainwater inundated streets and roads and disrupted civic life.

DADU: It rained heavily in the tourist resort of Gorakh Hill Station, Karo Jabal, Nai Gaaj and Sado Bodo mountains in Khirthar range.

Tourists enjoyed the rain at the hilltop at the resort. It also rained in Nooriabad, Mole, Thana Bula Khan and Thana Ahmed Khan.

MITHI: Moderate to heavy showers coupled with thunderstorm again lashed Thar towns of Nagarparkar, Islamkot, Diplo, Mithi, Chhachhro and their adjoining areas for the third consecutive day.

The heavy rain in Mithi inundated low-lying areas and filled shallow ponds locally called tarais.

People gathered on top of sand dunes to celebrate the first heavy rainfall of the season and in some areas farmers started to prepare their land for cultivation of traditional crops in hope of receiving more rains in coming weeks and months of monsoon.

They said that early arrival of monsoon rain was a harbinger of good days ahead for Tharis.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2021