Dry spell hits crops in Swabi.

SWABI -- Continued drought-like situation has worried the growers of wheat, tobacco and other crops as they fear drastic cut in yield and finances.

The situation has also turned critical in the mountainous Gadoon Amazai belt as water wells have gone dry and the people are facing water shortage.

Talking to Dawn here on Monday, the farmers said those owning the arid land were anxiously waiting for the much-needed rainfall.

They said rain had not fallen since September and more delay could cause more agony to them.

Kisan Board district president Khalid Khan feared that delay in rainfall could cause large-scale reduction in yield.

'More delay in rain will be devastating for the farmers as they largely depend on wheat and tobacco crops for sustenance,' said Liaqat Yousafzai, central general secretary of Kashtkar Coordination Council. 'We need good crop to keep check on wheat flour price.'

Due to lack of rain water level in the River Indus has fallen, and as a result, level in the Tarbela Dam has also dropped, officials said.

'Continued drought-like situation has also resulted in less water for the land irrigated through tubewells,' Alam Sher Gohati, provincial general secretary of...