Strong winds accompany rain, cause worry for wheat farmers
Rain coupled with strong winds across Punjab on Friday became a cause of concern for the wheat crop that is at the maturing stage. Agriculture experts said rainfall leading to lowering of temperature is good for the crop, but the winds that blew with the rain caused lodging (flattening) of the crop at a number of places.
“If wheat lodges (falls) at this stage, it is difficult for it to recover,” said an officer of the state agriculture department. Wheat in Punjab this rabi season is sown over 35 lakh hectares.
The meteorological department has predicted rain for Saturday too. “If rain and winds continue, we will have to assess the losses,” added the officer. The department so far has been expecting a bumper crop.
Rain lashed many places in neighbouring Haryana too, causing a slight dip in mercury. Chandigarh also received rains, a weather official said.
Patiala, Rupnagar, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Adampur, Halwara, Pathankot and Mohali were among other places in Punjab to receive rains. In Haryana, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Panchkula, Hisar and a few other places received showers.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature hovered 1-3 notches below normal at most places in the two states. Chandigarh recorded a low of 12.5 degrees Celsius, one notch below normal. Amritsar’s low settled at 9.4 degrees, one degree below normal while Ludhiana registered a low of 10.6 degrees, two notches below normal.
Patiala recorded a low of 11.6 degrees, one notch below normal. Pathankot (10.2), Adampur (8.4), Halwara (10.3) and Bathinda 9.2 Celsius also recorded below normal minimum temperature too.
In Haryana, Ambala recorded a low of 12.1 degrees, down one notch while Hisar registered a minimum temperature of 11 degrees, down three notches. Karnal’s minimum settled at 11.5 degrees, one notch below normal.