Amid a rising trend in temperature in the second half of this month in the key Rabi crop-growing States of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, some rains in the last few days in many places have lessened the risk of yield drop in crops such as wheat, chana (gram/chickpeas) and mustard. However, the prediction of hailstorms  and more rains with high-speed wind can still pose a challenge for the standing crops, even if that occurs in a very limited area.

After surface temperatures were the warmest globally in January, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures in most parts of the country except central-western parts and the southern peninsula in February.

Until a few days ago, many of the northwest regions and most of the central and eastern regions had above-normal temperatures this month. More clarity will emerge when IMD releases the actual temperature at the end of February.

During the past 24 hours, day temperatures have fallen by 1-4℃ at many places over Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and north Telangana. But, day temperature has increased by 1-4 degrees C at many places over northwest India, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Assam. “Day temperatures were appreciably above normal by 3-5 degrees C at isolated places over the western Himalayan region, west Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and above normal by 1-3 degrees C over coastal Andhra Pradesh.

However, night temperatures during the past 24 hours have increased by 1-3 degrees C over many parts of Madhya Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, resulting in temperatures that were 1-5 Degrees C above normal.

On the maximum temperature forecast, IMD said there is a possibility of a gradual rise by about 2 degrees C over the plains of northwest India during the next 48 hours and a gradual fall by 3-5 degrees C thereafter. Central India may see a rise in maximum temperature by 2-4 degrees C and Gujarat by 2-3 degrees C from February 25. It said no significant change in maximum temperatures was likely over the rest of India over the next 4-5 days.

Due to a fresh Western Disturbance, IMD has predicted isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall over Punjab, Haryana, from February 26 to March 1, over west Uttar Pradesh from February 27 to March 1, over west Rajasthan from February 27 to 28, and over east Uttar Pradesh and east Rajasthan from February 28 to March 1.

During the past 24 hours, . maximum temperatures were “markedly above normal” (5 degrees C or more) over Konkan, Goa, Chhattisgarh and “appreciably above normal” (3-5 degrees C) over Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Bihar, east Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Vidarbha. The maximum temperature was “above normal” (1-3 degrees C) over coastal Karnataka, northeastern states, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada region, West Bengal, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Last February, the country had below-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the northwest and northeast regions. The above-normal maximum temperature was observed only over the south peninsular region. The weather bureau could not get its prediction of high temperatures correct due to frequent Western Disturbances passing over north and adjoining central India, officials said.

“The Central India meteorological subdivision comprising Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha had highest minimum temperature of 16.62 Degree C in February, 2024, which is highest since 1901. The normal (last 50 years average) for the Central region in February is 14.99 Degree C,” an agriculture scientist said, pointing out the risk in high minimum temperature. The government had to relax specifications of wheat under fair average quality due to shrivelled grain for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan last year, he added.

Published on February 24, 2025