Light rain in Ludhiana; weather likely to remain same till Monday

The city received mild showers on Friday late and Saturday morning and witnessed a cloudy day. Chandigarh meterological centre more rain accompanied with light winds is expected in the coming two days.

An official talking of the centre said, “The coming week will remain cloudy with chances of rainfall due to western disturbances on Sunday and Monday in the district. The temperature will vary between minimum 14 degrees and maximum 28 degrees.”

After some cloudy days from Tuesday till Thursday, rainfall is also expected on March 11, as per forecast of Meterological centre, Chandigarh.

On Friday, the minimum temperature was 18 degrees, which fell to 15 degrees after the rain.

A student of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), while sipping hot tea at one of the campus canteens, said, “For the past few days, temperature remained high especially in the afternoon due to which many of us had given up wearing warm clothes, but with a fall in temperature on Saturday, we have decided to continue wearing warm clothes for another few days.”

‘Rain will stimulate crop yield’

District agricultural officer Sukhpal Singh Sekhon said, “Rain will be beneficial for the wheat crop. As of now, wheat crop requires low temperature to mature well and rainfall has lowered the temperature. When temperature is low, at the stage when the crop is close to maturity, the grain quality enhances. It also helps galvanise crop yield out of each acre.”

Jaswant Singh, a farmer from Kup Kalan village, said, “As of now, wheat crop has not suffered any damage. We hope weather will remain favourable till the harvest is done and wheat is lifted from the mandis.”

Balwinder Singh, a farmer from Mansuran village, said, “Had heavy rain taken place with high velocity of winds and hailstorm, there would have been huge damage to the wheat crop. Last year, from February to March, weather played a very negative role which slapped huge losses on wheat farmers.”

Gurmeet Singh Buttar, additional director of extension from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), said, “Currently, the situation is under control. But, we should pray that rain remains light.”

On being asked about the affect on vegetables, Sekhon said, “There is nothing to worry about. But, ongoing harvest of potato crop can get delayed if rain turns heavy. In Ludhiana district, potato is cultivated in an area of approximately 8,000 hectare and harvest is in its last stage,” Sekhon said.