HYDERABAD, Jan 8: Sindh received second spell of winter’s rain on Tuesday which intensified cold weather and raised the hope for healthy wheat crop while affecting civic life across the province.

The downpour was continued intermittently throughout the day while power breakdowns hit various districts with the first drop of rains.

In Hyderabad, it rained all day intermittently on Tuesday increasing the severity of icy weather.

Moderate rain began early in the morning and continued till evening. Although rainwater was not accumulated on main roads, slime and mud was everywhere.

Several parts of the city were hit by power breakdown, in addition to the loadshedding. However, power was restored in the evening.

Dark clouds still hovering in the sky and more chances of rain could not be ruled out.

The Met office recorded 8.01mm of rains at the airport area. It recorded minimum temperature 13 degree centigrade while 15.5 Celsius was maximum temperature.

For many the rain brought a pleasant change in the atmosphere. On the other hand several families remained deprived of their daily wages.

According to the growers the rains are beneficial for wheat crop all over Sindh province. It would, however, make sugarcane harvesting, which is in full swing, difficult. The rains would have positive effect in areas that are dependent on rains, like Thana Bula Khan and Tharparkar where wheat and fodder are the main crops.

“To me the rains will have more advantages than disadvantages,” said Mahmood Nawaz Shah, the general secretary Sindh Abadgars Board (SAB).

He said following the rains mangoes may be hit by fungus in early January or guava by fruit fly.

In his opinion growers would face problems in harvesting sugarcane crop which was in full swing.

He said that since the interior of Sindh do not have infrastructure and transportation facilities, farmers would face difficulties after rainwater accumulated on their lands.

“Rains would give additional water at the right time to wheat crop,” he added.

He said that it would also have positive impact on sunflower crops. The dwellers of slums and katchi abadis were the worst-hit as rain deprived them of their livelihoods.

A visit to an unregistered Katchi Abadi on the left bank of the River Indus depicted a gloomy picture of poverty stricken families who were living there in huts made of thatched straw.

“Today we did not go out for our labour while earlier we remained completely paralysed because of the violence following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto,” said Anwar, a labourer. He usually earns Rs100 to Rs150 per day.

Ya Ali Katchi Abadi is located close to the left bank of the River Indus and Karachi-Hyderabad railway track. Ramzan, Anwar and Soomar and others have occupied this land by settling their families there. These families had been migrated from Tando Mohammad Khan in search of employment.

Their houses’ roofs were covered with plastic sheets while womenfolk tried to cut wood for cooking food. Absence of civic facilities around their settlements has made matters worst for them as they have to fetch water from a nearby Dargah.

Rain has affected civic life in Tando Mohammad Khan. Accumulation of rainwater has also led to suspension the traffic. Widespread power shutdown was also reported. Complaints of low pressure of gas were also received.

Rains have forced people to remain indoors.

In most parts of Khairpur and the adjoining areas strong spell of cold has turned the weather extremely harsh as light rain continuing since Monday.

Normal life and trade activities were adversely affected while power outages multiplied the miseries of people.

The consumers also braved low pressure and loadshedding of gas in Khairpur city and other parts of the district.

The sale of wood for kitchen in absence of gas supply and candles increased due to power breakdowns. People were also using the earthen lamps in night. The increasing use of candles in absence of electricity has raised the prices by Rs5 per candle.

The downpour would affect the vegetables whereas wheat crop would be benefited.

The rain would also affect date palm, mango orchards and sugarcane crop. The supply of vegetables and milk from villages to main towns and Khairpur city remained suspended on Tuesday due to weather.

Sanghar district received light rain on Tuesday. It would have a positive impact on wheat and other crops. The tail-end farmers were happy.

Different parts of Naushahro Feroze district received rains which has increased cold in the area.

Nawabshah and adjoining areas including Sakrand, Qazi Ahmed, Daur, Doulatpur and others received light rains. Nine degree centigrade was the minimum temperature recorded.Met office said that clouds from north-western areas would continue to shower the area for more days. People faced difficulties due to power breakdown. There was no electricity in city from 6am to 11am due to technical fault at the grid station.

Different parts of Dadu and Jamshoro districts received intermittent rains. Low-lying areas of Dadu town were submerged as the sewerage system of the town was collapsed and rainwater was standing on roads and streets.

In Mirpurkhas and neighbouring areas the cold wave was intensified by the rains. People were forced to remain indoors.

Attendance of teachers and students remained thin at schools.

Business activities were adversely affected and various markets remained closed.

People living in katcha houses were seen busy in strengthening their roofs of their huts with the help of plastics sheets.

The rains would likely to benefit standing crops during the annual closure of canals.