'Moo' gives weather info
2005-06-16 12:03
New Delhi - Superstitious farmers in southern India believe if their cows moo, then it will rain, a news report said on Wednesday.
It can't be just any ordinary moo. The animal should turn towards the north-east, look up at the sky and then let out a loud moo. Farmers said this signifies a bout of rain arriving within 12 to 24 hours, the Asian Age newspaper reported.
Farmers in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have been praying for rain after the meteorological department said the monsoon would be slightly delayed.
Late or no rains spell disaster for India because of its largely agrarian economy. Poor irrigation facilities in most rural areas mean farmers are totally dependent on a good monsoon.
But the cows have been silent in Andhra Pradesh. "Last year it rained by this time and we planted our seeds. There is still no rain and no farmer has entered his fields," the report quoted farmer Nageswara Rao as saying.
"If the cattle bray, then it will rain the same day or the next day," said farmer Thangirala Visweswara Rao, adding they relied more on their cattle than the weather department whose predictions were always wrong.
"It's all just a myth. The monsoon is a huge system and animals are not capable of predicting rain," said weather expert JVM Naidu.
In June 2003, Andhra Pradesh was the worst-affected state during a savage heatwave that swept over north, east and south India for three weeks killing more than 1 400 people.
- Sapa-dpa
- SAPA