Final answer:
Everyone in the quarry has plans that depend on rain. Rain is critical for agricultural activities, impacting the planting and harvesting cycles and overall crop yields, which is significant in regions with agriculture-based economies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rukmani notices that in the quarry, everyone's plans for the next year depend on a critical factor crucial for agricultural societies. In such societies, a wide array of activities, including festivals, ceremonies, and rituals, are structured around the agricultural calendar. The success of crops is highly dependent on adequate and timely rain, which nourishes the plants and ensures a good harvest.
This is supported by the fact that weather and rain forecasts are critical for farmers to plan their activities around planting and harvesting, as obtaining accurate weather information can significantly impact crop yields. Traditionally, methods like the Farmer's Almanac were used to predict weather, but nowadays, online forecasts play a major role.
The reliance on rain is also highlighted in agriculture-heavy economies like India, where monsoon rains directly affect the agricultural output and thereby the economy.