Prayagraj, 14 July (HS): According to the India

Meteorological Department (IMD), Dr. Prateek Kumar has advised that the

district is likely to experience hot day conditions with thunderstorms on July

15, while hot day conditions may persist on July 16. Light rainfall of 3 to 10

mm is expected over the next five days.

Agricultural scientists have advised farmers to maintain

proper drainage in the fields, use the rainy intervals for weeding and crop

protection work, and regularly monitor pests and diseases. Due to high humidity

and clouds, diseases like leaf blight, sheath blight, damping-off, and the

infestation of sucking insects like whitefly, aphids, and leafhoppers may

increase in paddy and other Kharif crops.

Experts advise avoiding shallow sowing of pulses and

oilseeds, sowing pigeon pea on ridges, and avoiding spraying fertilizers and

pesticides just before the expected rainfall. Farmers should avoid unnecessary

work in open fields during thunderstorms and keep animals in a safe place,

suggested Prateek Kumar, Technical Officer, GKMS (AMFU), SHUATS, Prayagraj.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi