Shimla, Feb 18
Extreme warm and mainly dry weather is indicating worrisome signs for pome fruit crops as Mercury is soaring high in the state and was recorded several degree above normal on Friday.
The Meteorological department said that Minimum temperature stayed many degrees above normal as cold wave is negligible in the winter season. Due to rising average temperature above 15 degrees, plants dormancy is preponed about a month ahead of normal season. Snow consider as white manure for pome fruits is confined to few high reaches. Water table is likely to decline in summer season due to the visible dearth of winter rain and snow.
Also, apple growers could not find suitable weather conditions for planting new fruit trees due to lack of moisture in the soil. The state apple orchards rely upon 900 to 1000 chilling hours couldn’t not achieved in the middle apple belt. According to Agriculture experts the above normal Mercury is posing challenge for early flowering in the apple and pear which is likely to pose danger to the prospect of good and quality crops.
Minimum temperature of Shimla was 11.8 degrees and 8.4 degrees above normal. Bhuntar Airport 7.7 degree, Kalpa 3.9 Dharamshala 8.2 degrees, Una 9.6 degrees, Nahan 11.5 degrees, Keylong minus 2.6 degrees, Solan 7.4 degrees, Manali 6.2 degrees, Kangra 11.8 degrees, Mandi 8.6 degrees, Bilaspur 10 degrees, Hamirpur 9.9 degrees, Chamba 9.8 degrees, Dalhousie 14 degrees, Jubbarhatti Airport 11degrees and Kufri 10.9 degrees, Narakanda 7.3.
Maximum temperature of Shimla 21.6 degrees and 9.3 degrees above normal. Bhuntar Airport 26.5 degrees and 9 degree above normal, Kalpa 16.8 and 10.8 degrees above normal, Dharamshala 23.6 degrees, Una 28.8 degrees, Nahan 24.7 degrees, Keylong 6.8 degrees, Solan 26.4 degrees, Manali 18.4 degrees, Kangra 24.9 degrees, Mandi 27 degrees, Bilaspur 24.7, Hamirpur 25.3 degrees, Chamba 24.4Â degrees, Dalhousie 19.6, Jubberhatti Airport 22.7 degrees and Kufri 15.4Â degrees, Narakanda 16 degrees.
Noteworthy, now all eyes on the met office forecast, which has predicted a wet spell on February 19 and 20.
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