Srinagar, Sept 17: With the forecast of light to moderate rains in the plains of Jammu and Kashmir in next 48 hours, experts are keeping their fingers crossed about the possible fallout of the weather on standing crop across the state.
The valley has witnessed moderate to heavy rainfall during the first week of this month which, at one point, had led to a flood alarm and posed a threat to standing agriculture and fruit crop. The night temperature had also fallen perceptibly.
With significant improvement in weather, the flood threat had receded and the standing crops were by and large saved.
However, in the event of any fresh deterioration of climatic conditions, farm experts apprehend damage to both agriculture and horticulture crops. The average temperature across the valley hovers between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius these days. In case of any fresh rains, the standing crops could suffer extensive damage, senior horticulture department official, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, said.
He said the fruit crop was in its ripening stage this time. Therefore, any rains may not affect the crop in plain areas but it can result in widespread crop damage in higher reaches. He asked farmers and fruit growers to follow the instructions issued by the concerned departments.
Voicing similar views, the director of agriculture, Farooq Ahmad Lone, said there was no threat to the standing crops in plain areas. But any fresh rains could cause problems in upper reaches of the valley, he warned.
Meanwhile, the Met Office director, Sonam Lotus, said the forecast for next 48 hours was that light to moderate rains may occur in the plains across Pir Panjal mountain ranges while the higher reaches could get torrential or heavy rains. However, he said, the weather would improve after 19th of this month.
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