It's raining high prices

Soaring vegetable prices, spread of viral infections and deteriorating condition of roads are some of the problems Puneites will have to contend with. All this because of the untimely rain that has been lashing the city for the past 10 days.

"The rain is likely to continue for the next five days," said Dr A B Muzumdar, deputy director general, (weather forecasting) Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Pune.

Dr Megha Khole, director, (weather) IMD, Pune, said the current weather situation was not favourable. "This is the post-monsoon period as monsoon is over by October 29. As the temperature during the day is going up to 31 degrees Celcius, it could rain for another four days," she said.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Harvest delayed
Balasaheb Marne, member of strawberry growers' association said that over 50 per cent of the crop in western Maharashtra has been affected by the untimely rainfall. "The strawberry cultivation season is between September and March. The strawberry fruit requires cold conditions and bright sunshine which are in the first two months of winter."

Dr Ramchandra Sable, former head of department, Agricultural Meteorology Mahatma Phule Agriculture College, said: "The harvesting of rice crops and sugarcane has also been delayed by eight to 10 days and it is affecting the sugar production of all 170 sugar factories in the state. The sowing of wheat has also been also delayed by eight days."

In fact, the prices of vegetables have also gone up. The cost of onions has doubled. "Earlier it was Rs 15 to Rs 20 per kg, but now it has reached up to Rs 40 kg," said Satish Sangle, member, Vegetable Market Committee.
Consequently, the menu cards rates may increase if rain continues for next 10 days.u00a0

Ganesh Shetty, president of the Pune Hotel Association, said the wholesale rates of all the vegetables have gone up except for tomato and coriander leaves.

Diseases spreading
Dr Sharad Agarkhedkar, president, Indian Medical Association, said: "Mosquito-related disease has increased because of the untimely rainfall and this has resulted in malaria, chikungunya, diseases of upper and lower respiratory system and hepatitis.

Vivek Kharwadkar, additional city engineer (roads) said the PMC is preparing to carry out repairs on the roads that were damaged during the rain showers. "The damage is basically in the areas where rainfall is more. It includes Bibwewadi, Pashan, Aundh, Ahmadnagar road, Kondhawa and Paud area," he said.