After a searing February, when the monthly typical maximum temperature was at the greatest considering that 1901, brace up for a spike in temperature levels from March to May. On Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its seasonal outlook for the March-May duration forecasted above regular optimum and minimum temperatures over most of east, northeast, central, and northwest India. Nevertheless, both the optimum and minimum temperature level will remain normal to listed below typical in the period just in the southern peninsular region, the satisfied department said.

In February, while the month-to-month optimum temperature was the greatest because 1901, the regular monthly averaged minimum temperature level was the 5th highest for February considering that 1901. The satisfied department stated the typical minimum temperature was the 2nd greatest in February 2023 for northwest India, and 3rd greatest for east and northeast India.

Whether this February heat was because of environment modification or otherwise needs to be analysed, stated SC Bhan, head of services in farming meteorology and hydrology at IMD. But, based on our details, the agriculture ministry is taking all necessary preventative measures, Bhan included. In a related development, the Union health ministry released an advisory today for the expected heatwave. According to the advisory, individuals ought to remain hydrated throughout the day and take oral rehydration options (ORS), if needed.

People ought to keep their water intake high by consuming seasonal fruits with high water material and by consuming homemade beverages like lemonade, lassi etc .

Individuals have likewise been encouraged to wear light, loose, cotton clothing to remain cool and to cover their heads from direct sunshine and heat. Experts said a sharp spike in temperature levels might impact the yields of the standing wheat crop, mainly in locations where sowing has actually been late, that is in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, where it has actually reached the grain filling phase.

Dry winds and really heats are thought about to be bad for the wheat crop at its grain filling stage. The only saving grace for north and central India in March, according to the IMD, is the low likelihood of extreme heat waves, which will emerge in April. The IMD stated temperature levels will be above normal over most of India in the next three months due to near absence of rains.

The spike in temperatures will definitely rise inflation, stated Madan Sabnavis, primary economic expert at Bank of Baroda. So long as the arithmetic of wheat production, procurement and domestic need are not in positioning and the market continues to believe that the capability of the government to intervene in the market is limited due to the lower wheat stock, wheat costs are expected to remain elevated, India Ratings stated in a recent research note. Rahul Chauhan, commodity analyst at iGrain, meanwhile, stated the wheat crop was currently under tension in a number of areas due to severe heat wave in February, which was why many state governments advised farmers to right away adopt remedial measures. Standing crops in Punjab, UP, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and even in Bihar could come under serious tension if the heat rises like this, Chauhan said. The Centre in its newest estimate has forecasted that the wheat output might be a record 112.18 million tonnes, up 4.12 percent from last year, on the back of a sharp increase in acreage.

It pegged production of chana at 13.63 million tonnes this year, which is 0.66 percent more than the same period last year, while production of mustard, which is the main oilseeds grown during the rabi season, is forecasted at a record 12.81 million tonnes, which is 7.11 percent more than in 2015.