New Delhi, Feb 21(Bureau) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted that maximum temperatures are likely to be above normal by 3-5°C over northwest and central parts of the country during the next 5 days. The agency however added that “Maximum temperatures are very likely to fall by 2 degree celsius over northwest India in the next 2 days but there will be no significant change thereafter”. “There will be no significant change in the maximum temperature in the next five days over the rest of the parts of the country” it said.
The IMD has reported that the lack of strong western disturbances, which are weather systems that bring rain and cooler temperatures, has led to an early heat wave in many regions. This has resulted in temperatures that are three to six degrees higher than normal for this time of year, particularly in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Over the rainfall activities, the agency said that light isolated rain/snowfall is very likely over Western Himalayan Region during the next 24 hour. “Under its influence light isolated to scattered rainfall likely over the region on 25th February” it said. Moreover, the Met Department predicted above-normal temperatures in Gujarat, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, in the next two days. Meanwhile, on Monday the day’s temperature in Delhi shot up to 33.6°C, the highest recorded since 2006 and a massive nine degrees higher than season’s normal. The weather agency also sounded alarm over the impact of high temperatures on agriculture in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had also issued a warning that the unusually high temperatures will likely impact wheat crop. In view of rising temperatures, the IMD issued an advisory to farmers for the next 5-days. High temperature during flowering and maturing period leads to loss in yield. “There could be a similar impact on other standing crops and horticulture,” IMD said in a special bulletin for farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. “This higher day temperature might lead to an adverse effect on wheat as the wheat crop is approaching reproductive growth period, which is sensitive to temperature” it said.