IMD says no impact of heat on India's wheat crop, but next 2 weeks crucial
This story was originally published at 19:06 IST on 28 February 2025
Register to read our real-time news.Informist, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
Please click here to read all liners published on this story
--IMD: Rainfall in Feb across south India 1.2 mm, fourth lowest since 2001
--IMD: Rainfall in Feb across India 10.9 mm, fifth lowest since 2001
--IMD: Maximum temperature in parts of south India seen below normal Mar-May
--IMD: Maximum temperature in parts of northeast seen below normal Mar-May
--IMD: Minimum temperature in southernmost parts seen normal in Mar-May
--IMD: See minimum temperatures above normal across most of India in Mar-May
--IMD: Maximum temperature across most of India seen above normal in Mar-May
--IMD: Maximum temperature over most parts of India seen above normal in Mar
--IMD: See minimum temperatures in northwest, south India normal in March
--IMD: See rainfall in March normal at 83-117% of long period average
--IMD: Weak La Nina conditions likely to persist in near term
--IMD: El Nino-Southern Oscillation neutral conditions likely in Mar-May
--IMD: See minimum temperature above normal over most parts of India in Mar
--IMD: Central India Feb rainfall at 1.3 mm, 82.1% below normal
--IMD: South peninsular India Feb rainfall at 1.2 mm, 84.2% below normal
--IMD: Northwest India Feb rainfall at 21.0 mm, 51.1% below normal
--IMD: East, northeast India Feb rainfall at 23.4 mm, 18.5% below normal
--IMD: India Feb rainfall at 10.9 mm, 50.2% below normal
NEW DELHI – While there has been no impact of the above-normal temperatures and deficient rainfall observed during February on the country's wheat crop due to the increased use of climate-resistant seeds, the temperatures over the next two weeks will be crucial, D.S. Pai, scientist at the India Meteorological Department, told a press briefing Friday.
The country witnessed the highest ever all-India mean and minimum temperatures for February since records began in 1901, the department said. The average maximum temperature across the country was the second highest recorded in the month at 29.07 degrees Celsius, almost 1.50 degrees above normal. The average mean temperature was up by 1.34 degrees at 22.04 degrees Celsius, and the average minimum temperature rose by 1.20 degree to 15 degrees Celsius.
The country also saw an overall deficiency in rainfall, with 50.2% departure from normal at 10.9 mm, the fifth lowest level recorded in February since 2001. Cold wave was almost absent across the northern plains and on most dates, night temperatures were warmer than normal in most parts across north and central India. Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in the north, and Madhya Pradesh in central India, constitute the biggest chunk of India's wheat-growing region.
"We have been using heat-resistant seed varieties due to the weather changes in recent years with 67% area covered with it and expect no overall harm to the crop if March tempratures in the next two weeks stay on course," Pai said.
While the weather department has predicted above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures over most parts of India in March, Pai said the department sees temperatures remaining normal in the next two weeks due to a western disturbance over the western Himalayan region causing rains in parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The disturbance is likely to bring relief to several areas in the north, including Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
The rainfall in March is also seen to be normal at 83-117% of the long period average, with above-normal rainfall likely over parts of peninsular India and the neighbouring regions of south-central India, while normal to below-normal rainfall is likely in the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, the department has predicted above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the country, except the southern parts of peninsular India, and isolated pockets of northeast India, where normal to below-normal maximum temperatures are likely.
During Mar-May, above-normal number of heat-wave days are likely over most parts of the country except over northeast India, extreme north India, and the southwestern and southern parts of peninsular India, the weather bureau said. The period will also see minimum temperatures above normal over most parts of the country except isolated southernmost regions of peninsular India, where minimum temperatures are likely to remain normal.
The department said La Nina conditions are likely to weaken further during the upcoming summer season and turn to neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation. The El Nino-Southern Oscillation refers to the periodic fluctuation between El Nino and La Nina in the Pacific Ocean. El Nino brings drier conditions to India, while La Nina brings good rainfall.
According to the department, neutral Indian Ocean Dipole conditions persist, with the forecast indicating a continuation of these conditions during the upcoming summer season. The Indian Ocean Dipole is the difference in ocean surface temperatures in the western and eastern tropical Indian Ocean. End
Reported by Pallavi Singhal
Edited by Rajeev Pai
For users of real-time market data terminals, Informist news is available exclusively on the NSE Cogencis WorkStation.
Cogencis news is now Informist news. This follows the acquisition of Cogencis Information Services Ltd by NSE Data & Analytics Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. As a part of the transaction, the news department of Cogencis has been sold to Informist Media Pvt Ltd.
Informist Media Tel +91 (11) 4220-1000
Send comments to feedback@informistmedia.com
© Informist Media Pvt. Ltd. 2025. All rights reserved.
To read more please subscribe
Share this Story:
