The Meteorological department has issued weather advisory for farmers for next ten days from 11th May to 20th May. During this period the farmers are very busy in the harvest of strategic Rabi crops including wheat, oil seeds, mustards, grams, lentils, etc and sowing of kharif crops cotton, rice and sugarcane.
The advisory is as follows:
Past weather 1st May to 10 May 2011: Light to moderate rain/thunderstorms with gusty winds have been reported from Kashmir, GB, KPK, Punjab and Balochistan. Due to which harvesting/threshing of wheat and other Rabi crops have been delayed/badly affected in upper half of the country. Dry weather has been reported from agricultural plains of Sindh during this period.
Temperature Forecast: Seasonal increase in temperature may continue and daily temperature may rise in the agricultural plains of the country, particularly from 16th to 21st May. The rise may be more pronounced and consistent in the central and lower agricultural plains due to clear weather expected in these areas including central and South Punjab, Upper Sindh, lower agricultural plains of KPK and agricultural areas of north-east and central Balochistan. Daytime temperature may range 40-480C in these areas during this period.
Rain Forecast: Dry and hot weather (with dust storms in the lower plains) is expected in most of the agricultural plains of the country during these ten days. Light to moderate rain is expected in upper parts, mostly in upper hilly areas of the country including upper KPK, GB, Kashmir, and Potohar region during next two days.
Wind Forecast: During next five days gusty winds may prevail over the agricultural plains of south Punjab, Northwest Balochistan and coastal belt of the country. Whereas after 16th May gusty winds may prevail over coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan till 21st May. Due to expected hot and dry weather in coming days evaporation may increase thus causing moisture stress. Harvesting of main rabi crop ie wheat is almost completed in central and lower parts. In upper parts of the country it is on harvesting stage and dry and hot weather is suitable for the crop at this stage.