Statesman News Service
MALDA, 24 MARCH: Wednesday was the hottest day of the year so far in Malda with the mercury rising to 39.7 degree Celsius. According to the weather officials of the agriculture department in Malda, the district recorded the highest temperature today for the month of March in the past 10 years.
The normal temperature in March in Malda was 30 degree Celsius about 10 years back but it has continued to rise over the years.
Last year, the temperature had tone up to 36 degree Celsius in the corresponding period. Conversely, the district has not received any rain since November.
The soaring temperature has started taking a toll on paddy, mango and the litchi crop. We have not estimated the loss sustained so far. The toll would, however, be on the higher side”, said Mr Soumendranath Das, assistant director (technical), agriculture department in Malda.
According to him, the boro paddy is still in the growing stages and the heat wave, if it continues, would hurt grain formation.
“Moreover, rain is now a must for the mango crop. The excessive heat would otherwise make the fruits to wither away”, he informed.
Under these circumstances, the experts of the horticulture department have suggested spaying water after sunset on the mango trees to save the young mangoes from the heat.
The officials fear that the litchi trees, which are in bloom, would also suffer if heat wave continues.
The deputy director of the agriculture department in Malda, Mr Satinath Palit, said: “The farmers would have to store water in the boro paddy fields to save the plants from wilting under a scorching sun. The situation could turn grim further if the temperature goes up to 40 degree Celsius when the paddy stalks approach flowering period. Moreover, the vegetables in the fields would also require irrigation or would perish”, he added.
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