(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) KO File Photo By Abid Bhat
Srinagar- Weather department on Friday predicted rain and thunderstorms at scattered places in plains and snowfall over upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir in the next 24 hours.
“Intermittent rain and thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds at scattered places is expected whereas snowfall is likely over higher reaches from March 18-20,” a meteorological department official said.
The official further said that there is no forecast of any heavy rain and snow during the time.
He said farmers are again urged to postpone spraying of orchards during the period.
Regarding temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 6.6°C against 5.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.9°C above normal for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 4.5°C against 4.2°C on the previous night while Pahalgam recorded a low of 1.6°C.
Kokernag recorded a low of 4.6°C against 6.3°C on the previous night and it was 1.1°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 0.5°C against 1.5°C on the previous night and it was 2.8°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 4.3°C against 3.2°C on the previous night and it was 1.2°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 14.3°C against 15.0°C on the previous night. It was 0.6°C below normal for J&K's winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 6.2°C (above normal by 1.3°C), Batote 7.3°C (above normal by 0.6°C), Katra 12.5°C (0.1°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 4.6°C (0.7°C above normal).
Ladakh's Leh and Drass, he said, recorded a low of minus 3.2°C and minus 3.6°C respectively.
Meanwhile, the Agrometeorological Research Centre, which is based in SKUAST, Jammu and working on specific needs of agriculturists and farmers has issued an advisory.
The Agro division asked farmers to make elaborate arrangements for darning out excess water.
“Due to the possibility of rains in the next 5 days, farmers are advised to make arrangements to drain excess rain water from wheat, mustard, oilseeds, vegetable and flower fields,” said Dr. Mahender Singh, Senior Scientist & Incharge, ARC, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu.
“This time farmers are nurturing various crops including Wheat, Mustard, Rabi pulses, Gram at various staged besides cultivation in floriculture sector including Marigold, Gladiolus, Ornthogallum and vegetables are going on, The farmers asked to not to allow rain water to stagnate in fields,” Dr. Mahender Singh said.
In addition, the farmer's planning to trade their crops in the Horticulture sector including Mango, Citrus, and Guava or growing button mushrooms advised to postpone irrigation as well as application of plant protection measures for next 5 days.
Mushroom growers advised to dispose of infected fruits in the pit after dipping the fruit bodies in 2% formalin solution of wetness observed.
“Maintain temperature 160C -180C during fruiting by spraying water on side walls and floor of the room. Maintain proper hygienic conditions in and around growing rooms.
Ventilation in the cropping room is recommended. Open cropping rooms at least 2-3 times to avoid accumulation of CO2,” the weather scientist said.
Poultry farmers advised to provide adequate clean drinking water to poultry birds.
Give vaccination against IPD & Gumbroo disease to 7 & 14 days of chick. Avoid hurdling of chicks and maintain proper hygiene in poultry sheds. For the Fisheries sector, people advised to avoid manure feed for some days.
Dairy animals and Sheep & Goat farmers advised to provide hay of green forage like stala, lobia, maize, jowar and bajra etc. with kadbi and other green grasses to the milch animals in order to enhance milk production and also to prevent from bloat (aafara).
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