India: IMD issues yellow alert for three days, farmers worried as wheat nears harvest

Source:  The Indian Express

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for three days from March 28 to 30 for several districts in Punjab and Haryana, anticipating thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds at speeds of 30-40 km/h at isolated places.

The forecast has put farmers on the edge as it poses a threat to the expected “bumper wheat crop” in Punjab. Experts have cautioned that such adverse weather conditions, particularly storms and high winds, could severely impact the wheat crop, which is currently in its final phase and expected to be ready for harvesting in the next 2-3 weeks.

The IMD’s Chandigarh Office has issued alerts to both states in light of these predictions. It will be happened due to Western disturbances Farmers have been advised against heavy irrigation in anticipation of the impending weather. According to the IMD, approximately 18 districts in Punjab and 14 districts in Haryana are likely to experience these adverse weather conditions.

“At this critical stage of grain filling in the wheat crop, any rain or strong winds can have detrimental effects, especially when the wheat plant is heavy due to grain filling,” said farmer Talvinder Singh of Jalandhar, whose fields are set for harvesting in the next three weeks. In Punjab alone, around 35 lakh hectares are under wheat cultivation, and the state is expecting a bumper crop this year, owing to favorable weather conditions so far. Amrik Singh, chief agriculture officer of the Punjab Agriculture Department, said that any adverse weather at this stage could lead to significant crop damage.

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