The irregular low to moderate rainfall due to the impact of the cyclone ‘Phethai’ will prove beneficial for the farming community in the days to come. If Agro-Met experts are to be believed then the present weather conditions are in favour of Rabi crops cultivation.
According to the agro scientists, the rainfall in mid December is often considered to be a boon for the Rabi cultivators. “Those farming Rabi crops like wheat, mustard, green chickpea (chana) coriander need irrigated fields before sowing. The irrigated fields have high soil moisture content. Considering the previous record of a past few years, there was some amount of rainfall recorded annually in the last week of the November; hence, the low to moderate rainfall in mid December is a blessing for the farmers,” said an Agro-Met Expert.
In Jharkhand, the sowing of Rabi crops like wheat, mustard, green peas etc begins in mid December and is harvested in February. Meanwhile, the impact of cyclone ‘Phethai’ over Jharkhand is expected to bring the mercury level down.
“Cyclone ‘Phethai’ over southwest Bay of Bengal has moved further northwestwards at a speed of 16 kmph. It is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours. As per the weather prediction, it will remain active for two days, December 16 and 17. Its impact will start weakening from December 18.
The advancement of the cyclone will result in fall in the mercury level, increasing the chilliness,” the weather bulletin released by Ranchi MET observatory Centre on Sunday read.
Further, Senior Scientist – Ranchi MET Observatory Centre stated, “For next two-days cloudy sky will be there over the State. Leaving out a few parts of Jharkhand, low to moderate rainfall will occur in the State on December 17 whereas on December 18, rainfall will lash all districts of Jharkhand especially the Southern and Central parts of the State which includes Ranchi, Bokaro, Gumla, Hazaribagh, Khunti, Ramgarh, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Simdega and Seraikela-Kharsawan.”
The weathermen have denied the chances of heavy rainfall except for the isolated places. Stating about the maximum and minimum temperature which is predictable for the next two days, Sharma said, “There is chance of maximum temperature falling down further. The maximum temperature is estimated to remain somewhere between 17 degree Celsius to 19 degree Celsius here for two day until the impact of ‘Phethai’ is not over while the minimum temperature will be recorded between nine to 11 degree Celsius.”