Rains lift farmers' dampened spirits, Dang pounded

SURAT: A good spell of rain across south Gujarat from Wednesday morning has revived hopes of farmers in the region. All talukas of five districts in south Gujarat recorded up to 50mm of rains during the day. Three places in the Dang recorded more than 100mm of rain till 4 pm on Wednesday.
Surat city witnessed light showers through the day that converted into a downpour late in the afternoon.
Dang collector Jaiprakash Shivhare said, "The fresh spell has solved the drinking water problem here. Ahwa recorded 104mm rains till 4 pm whereas the hill station of Saputara received 118mm and Wagai got 101mm.
Assistant director of horticulture at Surat, Dinesh Padaliya said, "But for a few standing crops of vegetables, these showers will benefit all the other crops as proper sowing will be possible now. This slow and steady-paced rain must continue for water to seep into the soil and the water levels to come up. The biggest issue of fodder will be solved with these rains and cattle will have enough to graze now."
Surat city saw the residents doing their daily chores in a drizzle. The city recorded rain up to 42mm by 6 pm.
The other areas that received substantial rain included Vasda in Navsari that recorded 83mm, Khergam 66mm, Chikhli 64mm and Kaprada in Valsad that recorded 55mm of rainfall.