Temp nearing sub-zero, agri varsity sounds fresh alert for farmers, residents

With temperatures dipping sharply across the state, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has sounded an alert for farmers and the public, warning that coming days may bring even harsher winter conditions. Severe cold waves, dense fog and ground frost are expected to grip the region, raising concerns for crops, orchards, vegetables and livestock.

Sharing observations, Dr PK Khingra, head, Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, PAU, said the day and night time temperatures had been recorded below normal for the past few days in the state and the minimum temperature had dropped below 4°C at many locations. As per the India Meteorological Department, there was a warning of severe cold wave conditions along with dense fog and ground frost occurrence during coming days, she divulged.

Such extreme cold conditions might have deleterious effect on some of the crops, orchards, vegetable crops and livestock, she warned.

“Vegetables and newly planted orchards are more vulnerable to cold wave and frost conditions,” she cautioned horticultural growers. “Under such circumstances, such crops need to be kept hydrated by providing light irrigation to maintain the soil temperature. Application of mulches and protection barriers on north-west direction are also effective, especially, tender vegetable crops and fruits,” she advised.

Hence, farmers were advised to make regular visits to their fields and take these measures for protecting their crops from extreme cold and frost conditions, urged Dr Khingra.

Animals should be kept indoor and be given nutrient rich feed during extreme cold as health of animals could be severely affected under these conditions, she said to dairy farmers.

Local farmers also echoed the concern, stressing that the cold and frost demand extra vigilance in the fields. “This season our crops need more care than usual,” said Baljit Singh, a farmer from Ludhiana. “Regular monitoring, timely irrigation and protective measures are essential, otherwise the frost can damage vegetables and young orchards badly,” he added.

Elderly, small children confined to homes

The excessive cold wave prevented several elderly and small children from venturing out in the open to celebrate Lohri. As the minimum temperature was recorded at 3°C while maximum was reported around 15°C, most of the residents preferred to remain indoors in the chilling weather.

It was a cloudy and foggy day as was predicted by weather experts. The sun played hide and seek for some time but it failed to provide the needed warmth due to the prevailing weather conditions.

Confusion prevailed over the opening of schools as on social media platforms, it was being circulated that the winter break was extended till January 16 but no orders were received till the filing of the report.

Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said no such instructions came and the same would be conveyed as and when received.

Markets wore a deserted look during morning hours while roadside vendors struggled to keep their small businesses running amid the harsh weather. “It becomes difficult to face the extreme cold. Customers are a few but we have no option but to work and get both ends meet,” said a tea vendor at Ghumar Mandi.

All government schools in the state would reopen on Wednesday after the winter break. Though teachers, parents and students had expected that the winter break would be extended seeing the prevailing cold weather conditions, the government has decided to reopen them.