Mercury dip to aid wheat growth, say experts

The prevailing cold-weather conditions in the northern belt and frost in some areas of the region is expected to aid the sowing of wheat crop during the ongoing Rabi season, agricultural experts believe. Charanjeet Singh, a farmer from Yamunanagar district said, “Weather is currently favourable for the crop and if there is there is dense fog in coming days, it will be very helpful for the crop.” Based on the weekly weather reports from Indian meteorological department, the IIWBR issues fortnightly advisories to the farmers and the information is circulated to state agriculture departments, state agricultural universities, krishi vigyan kendras and are uploaded regularly on websites and social media. Cold wave persists in Punjab, Haryana; Faridkot records 2 degrees C Biting cold conditions persisted in several areas of Punjab and Haryana on Thursday, with Faridkot recording a minimum temperature of 2 degrees Celsius, the meteorological department said. Bathinda also remained under the grip of severe cold, recording a low of 3.6 degrees Celsius, while Pathankot and Gurdaspur registered minimum temperatures of 4.6 and 4.5 degrees Celsius, respectively, it said. In Haryana, Hisar logged a minimum of 2.8 degrees Celsius, while Sirsa and Karnal were also swept by severe cold, with both places recording respective lows of 3.2 and 5.3 degrees Celsius, the weather office said.