PESHAWAR: Next week is crucial for Peshawar valley because if it doesn`t rain in December it would set a new record of dry spell spanning over three months, the longest spell in the last 25 years.

In 1984, in October and November such dry spells were experienced then again in 90s and now once again December is so far dry. `If it doesn`t rain for the third consecutive month, it would break record of 25 years,` said S Mushtaq Ali Shah, the director of Regional Meteorological Center at Peshawar.

However, he said it was too early to say or predict anything as light rains were expected between December 11and 12. That`s the only hope for the Peshawar valley witnessing dry spell.

These past two months have not beenless than a hell for the pluviophiles but everyone, who got sick due to pollution, dust and dry weather.

The official said that it was hard to say so much ahead of time if those very light rains expected on December 11and 12 would hit Hazara division, Malakand division and Peshawar valley including major areas like Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda and Nowshera.

However, he also did not refute the possibility of continued dry spell as he said that strong weather system was not visible so far.

Given the current sea surface temperatures, the official said that one could expect that there would not be a strong weather system but next week possibility of a weather system (rain) for Chitral and Hazara existed. `Let`s hope it touches Peshawar valley too, he added.

Not only the city dwellers, living in dusty environment, are feeling the dryness of their surrounding but the crops and orchards are also affected badly by the scarcity of the rains.

`The oranges would be smaller in size this season due to lack of rain, said an agriculturist on condition ofanonymity as he was not authorised to talk to media.

He also depicted an alarming scenario if it didn`t rain in this December.

The yield of wheat in the rain-fed agricultural lands in areas like Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat and even Swabi would be reduced around 40 per cent.

He said that it was due to that fact that normal standard time for sewing wheat was between November 5and 20 but it was delayed due to the dry spell. If it rained in December then sewing should be done by December 25, he said.

`Sewing is already late and due to absence of rains the yield would be affected for sure. The farmers would bear the brunt of reduction in agricultural yield,` said the agriculturist, drawing a grim picture of rain-fed agricultural lands where farmers depend on rain for irrigating their fields.

He said that tube-well irrigated crops might also show 20 per cent reduction in yield. It is not only human beings but the wildlife might also not find water and food like grass in such areas if it doesn`t rain at all and might be forced to migrate so it would adversely affect wildlife too.