Kanpur: Kanpur division is witnessing a steady rise in temperatures, a trend that experts warn could adversely affect Rabi crops, particularly wheat, mustard and gram. On Tuesday, the division recorded a maximum temperature of 29.8°C, which is 3.7°C above normal. A day earlier, on Feb 23, the maximum temperature stood at 29.6°C. The minimum temperature was also above normal at 12.8°C. North-westerly winds were recorded at a speed of 4.9 kmph, accelerating the evaporation of soil moisture. The IMD has predicted bright sunshine across the division on Wednesday, with daytime temperatures likely to remain above normal. Weather expert Dr S Sunil Pandey said that above-normal temperatures in late February could prove harmful for crops, as this period is crucial for stages such as flowering and grain formation. A sudden rise in heat can lead to forced maturity, causing grains to develop prematurely and resulting in smaller, shrivelled produce. Experts estimate that even a 2–3°C increase in temperature during the grain formation stage can reduce wheat yields by 10–15%. Similar declines are anticipated in mustard and chickpea yields. Poor grain development also affects quality, which may prevent farmers from fetching remunerative prices in the market. Pandey added that hot and dry weather conditions are conducive to the spread of sucking pests such as aphids, compounding crop damage. Rising temperatures also lead to rapid depletion of soil moisture, increasing heat stress on plants and the need for frequent irrigation. The IMD and agricultural experts have advised farmers to continue light irrigation to maintain soil moisture and regulate field temperatures. They also urged cultivators to closely follow weather advisories issued by agricultural science centres in the coming days.
