Bathinda: Punjab recorded 408% excess rainfall during the 24-hour period starting at 8:30 am on March 15, receiving 3.6mm of rain against a normal of 0.7mm, which impacted wheat crops in Bathinda, Mansa and Barnala districts.According to agriculture experts, rising temperatures in Feb and March prompted farmers to perform extra irrigation, particularly for crops grown in heavy soils. When the rain arrived, the extra moisture made the crops top-heavy, causing them to flatten under their own weight. “Rain and thunderstorms at the ripening stage are unfavorable for smooth growth. These weather vagaries may impact both yield and quality,” said Hari Ram, head of the agronomy department at Punjab Agricultural University. However, Ram said the damage might be localised to areas where thunderstorms flattened the crops. If temperatures remain around 30°C for the next two weeks, further losses could be minimised. Since Feb 20, maximum temperatures in Punjab and Haryana have hovered between 25°C and 30°C, rising by 4–5°C in early March. Ideally, wheat thrives at 25°C in Feb and between 25–30°C in March. The rain was accompanied by high-velocity winds that intensified the damage. Sangrur and Ferozepur reported gusty winds up to 57kmph, Bathinda 48kmph, Mohali 43kmph and Pathankot 39kmph. Farmer Gora Singh from Bhainibagha village in Mansa described the situation as a double whammy. After over-irrigating to combat early heat, the sudden rain and hailstorms proved costly, he said, adding that the inclement weather is also damaging capsicum and muskmelon crops. In Bathinda, farmer Sukhwinder Singh from Maur Kalan said high-velocity winds following the rain caused flattening of the crop in several villages. MSID:: 129610574 413 |
