Weather Update: As rain lashed many parts of India, the weather office has asked farmers to postpone mustard crop in Punjab and Haryana and wheat and pulses in central Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Western Disturbance-induced rains provided respite from high temperatures but left farmers scrambling to protect their crops. Snowfall also occurred in parts of the hilly states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, “Postpone harvesting of mustard till rains stop in Punjab and Haryana; if already harvested, store in safe places to avoid damage. Wheat crops Stop irrigation.
IMD’s advice to farmers:
The weather office advised the use of hail nets to protect apple, pear, plum and peach orchards in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, as well as fruit orchards in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. For farmers in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the IMD has suggested harvesting of matured mustard, gram and wheat at the earliest and storing them in a safe place.
It said the maximum temperature in the plains of the country ranged between 33-37 degrees Celsius. These are near normal or below normal over most parts of the country, the IMD said.
The Extended Range Forecast (ERF) for the next two months said, “Interestingly, heat wave conditions are likely to continue over most parts of India in the second week of March 2023 due to the continuous absence of favorable synoptic system and active Western Disturbance over North India.” Has been.” week released by IMD on Thursday evening.
The weather office has predicted widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunder and hailstorm over the western Himalayan region till Monday.
“With rain/thundershowers very likely to occur over most parts of the country during next four to five days, the maximum temperature is likely to be near normal or below normal over most parts of the country,” the ERF said. ,
(with inputs from agencies)