Shimla/Rajgarh, Jan 9
Famous for production of high quality and sweet stone fruits, Rajgarh of Sirmaur district also known as Peach Valley of Himachal Pradesh wore white covers of snow after a gap of two decades, informed the Subdivision Magistrate Surendra Mohan.
Snowfall up to ten to 15 cm(half feet) was recorded in the areas of subdivision including Habban, Bathaudhar, Banalidhar, Tharu, Deothhi Mazgaon, Matal Bakhog, Tali Bhujjal and Koti Padhog.
The heavy rain and snow, this time has made a very pleasant situation in Rajgarh area and farmers are happy on the outcome. SDM Rajgarh Surendra Mohan said on Sunday that till the afternoon power, water and communication system were running smoothly in Rajgarh.
SDM said that farmers and agriculturists consider snowfall as white manure as it not only kills harmful germs and pathogen in the plants and land but also reduces the consumption of harmful pesticides to control them.
He said that snowfall not only helps to retain the level of moisture in the soil but it helps to provide good health to plants after providing the number of required chilling hours.
“If the amount of chilling hours in the orchard are met, then farmers can save on the additional cost on pesticides and chemicals. Farmers have to spend additional on them, for getting high yield or produce,”informed a local farmer Vikas Bhardwaj.
Peach valley also famous for production of high quality garlic as this area is attributed for the highest garlic production in Asia.
The good amount of rainfall also saved the input cost of Farmers on the irrigation and it helps to get high yield as harvest of garlic would be done after the winter session.
Rajgarh area supplies chief amount of garlic production to southern states of India as most of Garlic produced in various gram panchayats of Rajgarh was supplied through local APMCs to state of Tamilnadu, Maharshtra, Karnataka, Gau and Kerela.
SDM said that Snowfall on high reaches and intermittent prolonged rainfall also helps to recharge water sources in the subdivision thus making it easier for regular supply of water during summer season. Number of irrigation and water supply schemes get affected due to decreasing discharge of water in river and streams in district Sirmaur are likely to get respite for a long time.
Meanwhile vehicular movement continues as usual on all roads, here. The SDM said that necessary instructions have been given to all the officers to maintain all types of arrangements related to their department so that there is no problem in conducting relief and rescue operations in case of any emergency is faced.
Let us inform that in Rasumandar and Pajhota area, there used to be power cut every year during winters but after 33 KV sub-station in Sheelabagh, uninterrupted power supply is being available in about 15 panchayats of these areas. Otherwise, due to blackout, the entire Rasumandar and Pajhota area was cut off from other areas from the point of view of communication.
Executive Engineer Electricity Rajgarh Narendra Thakur said that with the formation of 33 KV sub-station in Sheelabagh, where people are getting power supply normally, the employees of the board have also breathed a sigh of relief.
