IRRI-boro paddy cultivation in Pabna is facing a setback because of a drought-like situation for lack of rain. The farmers are now crying for rain. In many areas, cracks have developed on fields due to lack of water. Farmers said they were facing an unusual situation like the one in 1979 when there was no rain for several months. Because of scorching heat and lack of rain, fields have become dry within two to three days of irrigation whereas the same fields remained wet for seven to eight days after irrigation in the previous years, they observed. The dry soil needs more irrigation now, which they cannot afford because of high price of diesel and load-shedding, farmers in many areas in Pabna told New Age. Unlike in previous years, there was no rain in northern districts in October this year, they said. Showers in October increase moisture content in soil, which prevents it from becoming extremely dry and heated in summer, some experienced farmers said. In previous years, January and February witnessed shower once or twice, but there was none so far this year, they said. Besides, the dry spell also brings in pest attack on IRRI-boro fields, they said. According to officials at the local meteorological office, day temperature in the area has risen up to 34.5 degrees Celsius since the beginning of this month. It will continue to soar if there is no rain, which is unlikely in a fortnight, they said. There is no rain and the sky remains clear as the westerly cloud-carrying winds skip Bangladesh and go to Nepal and Bhutan, they said. In the previous years, nor'westers started from mid-February bringing some rainwater but there is no sign yet this year, they said. Buds of different fruit-bearing trees are also drying up in different areas of the northern districts. Farmer Amanullah at village Narayanpur in the Pabna district headquarters said,