Jalandhar, April 11: Farmers are on tenterhooks as the Meteorological Department has predicted thunderstorm and moderate to heavy rainfall across Punjab during the next 48 hours, even as the wheat crop, 90 per cent of which has reached the harvesting stage, largely escaped damage during Tuesday’s rain.
“There is no lodging of crop in the Nakodar area so far, but we are worried about the next few days. If rain alone lashes the crop, it will tolerate as it is at its last stage. But if rain is accompanied by gusty winds, then there can be a huge loss due to lodging of the crop and the resultant discolouration of the grain,” said Gurmail Singh, a Nakodar-based farmer.
“The next 48 hours can see thunderstorms accompanied by winds at isolated places mainly due to western disturbances,” indicates the Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh.
Dr Naresh Gulati, Jalandhar-based farm expert, said Tuesday night rainfall and thunders led to lodging of crop at certain places in Punjab, but by and large the crop sustained the weather attack.
“There is no possibility of any damage or discolouration of the grain at places where wheat was sown late like in the potato or vegetable belts,” said Dr Gulati.
News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
