M A I N   N E W S

Cold sting till Friday: Met
Vibha Sharma/TNS

New Delhi, January 3
A not-so-usual phenomenon seems to be occurring this winter season over plains of northwest India, comprising Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh. While day temperatures, maximum as they are called in scientific parlance, are being recorded at levels way below the normal, strangely enough, minimum temperatures (recorded just before the sunrise) are above the usual for this time of the year.

The good news is that Friday onward people can expect a “definite relief” from the bone chilling cold with temperatures returning almost to their normal values over the weekend.

As on date, however, cold wave conditions continued to prevail in most parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, north Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh, forcing people to add to their layers of woollens.

The maximum temperature at Chandigarh on January 3 was 12°C, nine points less than average for January 2. However, the minimum temperature recorded in wee hours on that day was 9°C, 4°C more than regular. Likewise is the case in other parts of northwest, which are continuing to experience below-normal temperatures during daytime.

IMD Director SC Bhan said temperatures during the day were below normal because fog persisted at high altitudes during the daytime, which incidentally people were mistaking for clouds. Fog is also the reason for above-normal temperatures during the nights.

“Days are colder than normal because fog is not allowing temperatures to rise during the day. Daytime temperatures are anywhere between 9 to 11°C below the normal in many parts of Punjab and Haryana due to persisting high-altitude fog,” he says. “Fog is also the reason night temperatures are above normal because it is not allowing nocturnal cooling to take place,” he adds.

The good news is that respite from this phenomenon is expected by the week-end. In fact, Bhan says Friday onward there will be a “definite relief” for people with temperatures returning to normal, recording lesser deviation. “Day temperatures are likely to be back in the range of above 20°C, which is normal for this time of the year. Night temperatures may decrease by 2-3°C,” he says. Today, the lowest temperature (0.7°C) was recorded at Bikaner in Rajasthan.

Temperature deviations not good for crops: Expert

Leading agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan says any deviation from normal temperature is not good for crops. “Deviations from normal temperature, weather above or below normal, will affect flowering and grain formation due to factors like pollen abortion,” he said.

Fortunately for farmers, weather conditions are expected to return to normal by the end of the week, with day temperatures improving.

Besides, as farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal points out, the wheat crop is still at the sprouting stage and will not be affected by the current bitter cold conditions. “Flowering and grain formation will take place by mid-February. However, a clear situation will emerge after a week. Cold wave conditions may also result in multiplication of crop shoots, resulting in more grains from each crop,” he says. Hopefully temperatures will improve in a gradual manner as sudden changes are also not good for crops, he adds.