Light rain brings down temp in Delhi; farmers cautioned against crop damage

| Updated: 18 March, 2023 8:01 pm IST

A brief spell of rain accompanied by thunderstorms and cold winds brought down the temperatures on Saturday in the national capital, days after the city recorded the season’s hottest day at 34.3°C.

“Thunderstorms with moderate intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of many places of Delhi, NCR ( Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Ghaziabad, Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Ballabhgarh). Hail Precipitation would occur over and adjoining areas of isolated places of NCR ( Gurugram), Sikandrabad, Bulandshahar (U.P.) during the next one hour,” said the Indian Meteorological Department.

However, the rains might spell trouble for farmers. IMD advisory states strong wind/hail may damage plantations, horticulture, and standing crops. Hail may injure people and cattle in open places.

Farmers have been advised to postpone harvesting of crops in Punjab, Haryana, and West Madhya Pradesh; if already harvested, store at safe places to avoid losses. “Withhold irrigation to wheat to avoid lodging,” read the advisory.

Along with this the department also advised farmers to carry out harvesting of matured mustard and chickpea in Rajasthan and mustard, chickpea and wheat in East Madhya Pradesh at the earliest and store them in safe places.

It suggests using hail nets to protect orchards.

As per IMD alert, Northwest and East India would experience rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms or hailstorms on March 18 and 20 while the same conditions will prevail over Central, West India, and south Peninsula on March 18 and 19.

In the next three days starting from March 17, weather experts also predicted a significant drop in temperature by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over North-West India, East India, and Central and West India.

Isolated thunderstorms/lightning/squalls and hailstorms over various parts of the country during the next four days were suggested by IMD.

The weather department advised everyone to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid travel if possible. It asked people to avoid taking shelter under the tree during rainfall.

People have been cautioned about partial damage to vulnerable structures due to strong winds along with minor damage to kutcha houses/walls and huts.

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