Heat wave to hit parts of the country for 5 days, mercury to rise 3-5 degrees

Northwest central and east India are predicted to record maximum temperatures three to five degrees above normal over the next five days the India Meteorological Department IMD said on ThursdayMany parts of the country are already recording temperatures that are usually logged in the first week of March It has fuelled concerns about an intense summer and heat waves this yearMaximum temperatures are very likely to be three to five degrees Celsius above normal over most parts of northwest central and east India during the next five days the IMD said in a statementIt said a significant change in maximum temperatures in northwest India is unlikely during the next two days However the mercury is predicted to rise by two to three degrees Celsius thereafterThe mercury may soar to 40 degrees Celsius and above in one or two meteorological subdivisions of northwest India in the first half of March an IMD official saidAlso readThe Met office has attributed the unusually hot weather in February to several factors with the absence of strong western disturbances being the primary reasonStrong western disturbances bring rainfall and help keep temperatures downDelhi on Monday recorded the third hottest February day since 1969 with the maximum temperature at the Safdarjung observatory the national capitals primary weather station soaring to 336 degrees CelsiusThe city had recorded an alltime high of 341 degrees Celsius on February 26 2006 and a maximum temperature of 339 degrees on February 17 1993 The Met office has issued advisories saying significantly higherthannormal temperatures may have an adverse impact on wheat and other cropsThis higher day temperature might lead to an adverse effect on wheat as the crop is approaching reproductive growth period which is sensitive to temperature it said High temperatures during the flowering and maturing periods leads to loss in yieldThere could be a similar impact on other standing crops and horticulture it saidThe IMD said farmers can go for light irrigation if the crop appears to be under stressTo reduce the impact of higher temperatures add mulch material in the space between two rows of vegetable crops to conserve soil moisture and maintain soil temperature it saidOn Monday the Union Agriculture Ministry said it has set up a committee to monitor the situation arising out of the increase in temperatures and its impact if any on the wheat cropThe Indian Council of Agricultural Research has also developed a new wheat variety which can overcome the challenges arising out of changes in weather patterns and rising heat levelsIn March last year the warmest recorded in the country since 1901 heat caused a decline of 25 per cent in wheat yieldsThe weather department had attributed the unusual heat to the lack of rainfall due to the absence of active western disturbances over north India and any major system over south IndiaThe country as a whole had logged just 89 mm rainfall which was 71 per cent lower than its long period average of 304 mmThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever