Wheat farmers cautioned about rains

LAHORE: Farmers have been cautioned about proper wheat harvesting and storage ahead of widespread rains being predicted by the Met office.

As dust, thunderstorm and rain are predicted in the country from Saturday to Wednesday, Punjab Agriculture Department asked growers to take measures for minimising post-harvest losses during harvesting and storage of grains. According to an official alert issued by provincial Agriculture Department, wheat harvesting in Punjab has started and in next few days it will attain its full throttle.

However, due to inclement weather conditions, harvesting and storage of wheat crop needs to be ensured on top priority basis to save each grain produced. Therefore, it is recommended, harvesting and threshing of wheat should be done as soon as it fully ripe, to avoid grain shattering. Delayed harvesting results in high grain losses. Rain and storm during wheat harvesting may result in losses of produce due to lodging and spoiling of mature grains. Met office said on Saturday that a shallow westerly wave is presently affecting upper and central parts of the country.

This weather system is likely to intensify on Sunday (evening/night) and grip most parts of the country on Monday. Under the influence of this weather system: Dust-thunderstorm/rain is expected at scattered places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Balochistan, upper Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on Saturday. Widespread dust-thunderstorm/rain (with few moderate to isolated heavy falls) is expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan & Kashmir from Monday to Wednesday. Widespread dust-thunderstorm/rain (with few moderate to isolated heavy falls) is also expected in Balochistan from Sunday evening to Tuesday.

Dust-thunderstorm/rain is expected at scattered places in Sindh (Sukkur, Larkana, Saheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad and Karachi divisions) on Monday and Tuesday. Hailstorm is also expected at isolated places during the period. It is warned that heavy falls may generate flash flooding in local Nullah/riverine in Makran, Quetta, Zhob, DG Khan Divisions on Monday/Tuesday. Heavy rains may trigger landslides in Malakand, Hazara divisions, Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir on Tuesday and Wednesday. Met office specifically warned wheat growers about severe weather conditions and asked farmers to take precautionary measures during the forecast period. As per detailed weather forecast for Sunday, widespread dust-thunderstorm/rain is expected in Makran, Kalat divisions, while at scattered places in Quetta, Zhob, Sibbi, Nasirabad, D.G khan, D.I khan divisions, at a few places in Kohat, Bannu, Malakand and Multan divisions. Few moderate to isolated heavy falls is expected in Makran, Zhob and Quetta divisions. Hailstorm is also expected at a few places during the period.

Hot and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country. During the past 24 hours, rain-thunderstorm with gusty winds occurred at scattered places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Quetta, Kalat, Sibbi and Zhob divisions. Weather remained hot and dry elsewhere in the country. As per Met office, rainfall (mm) recorded during last 24 hrs are as follows: Punjab: Islamabad (A/P 04, Z.P, Golra, Saidpur 02, Bokra 01), Murree 35, Bhawalpur (city 17, A/P 13), Layyah 14, Bahawalnagar 13, Kot addu 08, Bhakkar, Multan 06, Noorpurthal 05, DG Khan, Khanewal, Sahiwal 04, Khanpur 03, TT Singh, Jhang 02, Joharabad, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Narowal, Okara, Kasur, MB Din 01,Balochistan: Barkhan 25, Quetta 12, Kalat 09, Khuzdar, Zhob 04, Sibbi 03, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: upper Dir 29,Lower Dir 19, Mirkhani 16, Malamjabba 15, Kakul 13, Kalam, Drosh 10, Chitral 09, Balakot 08, Saidu Sharif 06, Parachinar 04, Balakot 03, Bannu, Cherat, D.I.Khan 02, Pattan 01, Kashmir: Garhiduppata 17,Muzaffarabd 13, Rawalakot 07,Gilgit-Baltistan: Astore & Bagrote 01.