Met Department Asks Farmers to Take Precautionary Measures as Summer Likely to Arrive Early This Year

The Met Department has issued an alert urging farmers of Himachal Pradesh to take precautionary measures, as the summer is going to arrive early this year. This early arrival can cause severe damage to the rabi crops.

Wheat, the main rabi crop has reached the milk stage (the first part of maturing). Due to the extreme temperatures, it can mature immediately, which will result in a 30% decrease in yield. Farmers have been advised to keep their crops hydrated in the evenings to mitigate the effects of the heat.

The mustard crop is in the seedling and harvesting phases. Growers have been recommended to harvest it sooner because heat can reduce the yield. Heat stress can cause wilting and germination problems in the vegetables of summers. Farmers have also been told to water the plants regularly.

Furthermore, high temperatures can deteriorate the quality of milk in domesticated animals. Dairy operators must provide adequate shelter and water for their animals.

In the meantime, the dry season in the state persisted, and the temperature in Una reached 38.4 degrees Celsius which is 8 degrees higher than the normal temperatures. Bilaspur had the highest temperature of 40 degrees Celsius which was followed by the Sundernagar and Hamirpur districts. They both recorded a temperature of 35 degrees celsius. The Met Office on Wednesday has forecasted dry weather conditions in the province until April 2 and has also issued a heatwave advisory for secluded areas in the mid to lower hills.

Currently, many parts of India especially the North and Central is facing severe heatwave. Moreover, the weather department has said that the temperature may rise even further.