Skip to main content

Cyclonic Storm Alert: Essential Tips for Tobacco Growers

 

Fig.1: Southwest Monsoon Prediction (Source:IMD)

Current Situation

A cyclonic circulation persists over South Tamil Nadu and adjoining Sri Lanka, moving eastwards. This system is expected to form a low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions of South Tamil Nadu and North Sri Lanka within the next 24-48 hours.

Forecast and Developments

Cyclonic Activity:

  • The low-pressure area is likely to intensify into a depression within the next 1-2 days.
  • It has the potential to strengthen into a cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal.
  • The system may reach the northwest Bay of Bengal near the Odisha coast as a severe cyclonic storm in the next 4-5 days.
  • Projected landfall is between Srikakulam (Andhra Pradesh) and Ganga Sagar (West Bengal), near the central Odisha coast, likely as a severe or very severe cyclonic storm.

Fig.2: Cyclonic Circulation over Coastal Tamil Nadu (Source:Windy, ECMWF Forecast)

Rainfall:

  • South India: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
  • Eastern India: Odisha, Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, and Jharkhand will receive light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over the next 3-4 days.

Temperature:

  • Maximum temperatures of 40-42°C are expected in parts of Andhra Pradesh, potentially affecting the tobacco-growing regions. 

Specific Forecast for Andhra Pradesh 

  • There is a high likelihood of adverse weather conditions in Andhra Pradesh due to the approaching cyclonic storm.
  • Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected, particularly in the northern coastal districts including Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam. 
  • Gusty winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph, potentially increasing as the storm approaches.

Warnings and Advisories for Farmers Growing Tobacco

Harvest and Storage:

  • Pre-harvest: If tobacco crops are nearing maturity, expedite the harvest process before heavy rains commence.
  • Post-harvest: Ensure that harvested tobacco is stored in a dry and secure place to prevent moisture damage. 

Field Management:

  • Drainage: Ensure that fields have adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can damage crops and reduce yield quality.
  • Support Structures: Secure any support structures in the fields to withstand strong winds. 

Soil Erosion Prevention:

  • Employ soil erosion control measures such as mulching or using cover crops to protect the topsoil from heavy rains.

Pesticide Application:

  • Delay the application of pesticides until after the heavy rainfall to avoid wash-off and ensure effective pest control.

 

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Maize as Fuel of Future

  Ethanol as Fuel Government has set an ambitious target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025. This is a significant move to cut down the crude import which contribute to 25% of total import in terms of value in India. As of June this year, the national average for ethanol blending was 13%, an increase from previous year of 12.1% in 2022-23 and 10% in 2021-22. The blending ratios is reaching to nearly 16% by June 2024. What is important to understand that ethanol production in India initially relied predominantly molasses, a by-product of sugar production. The policy shift to include grains as supplementary feedstocks, such as maize and damaged rice, further diversifying the sources of ethanol has very prefound effect on raw material utilization for ethanol production. With government incentivise by setting a higher ex-distillery price of Rs 71.86 per liter for ethanol produced from maize, has led to the establishment of multi-feedstock distilleries, which operate on a m...
2 comments
Read more

Technology - Advising Farmers and Crop Yield Assesment

Food security in the light of climate change is a global imperative. In developing nations, the problem is exacerbated by variable weather, lack of reliable extension services to optimize yield and fair market access. In India, most farmers do not have access to weather advisory forecasts that are hyper local to their field and timely in nature. As all farming activities are heavily dependent on weather, decisions on application of fertilizers and pesticide, irrigation, and even plucking of fruits & vegetables and harvesting cannot be taken efficiently. In addition, significant crop losses, that are entirely preventable, accrue through adverse weather events. Crop advisory services, where available, are generic and not pegged to a farmer's seed variety, date of sowing, and growing conditions and hence do not dispense timely, actionable advice, directly relevant to a farmer. Likewise, market trends pertinent to their particular crop and location ...
42 comments
Read more

Rice: Food or Fuel ?

Addressing Surplus Rice Stocks The FCI’s warehouses are currently holding rice stocks that are nearly four times the required buffer stock. The high reserve price previously deterred purchases by ethanol distilleries and state agencies, which has exacerbated the surplus. By lowering the price, the government intends to: Alleviate excess stocks. Encourage more efficient distribution of rice to various stakeholders. Enhance the affordability of raw materials for ethanol production. Stock & Procurement As of Nov 2024, Rice stock is 440.76 LMT, against the buffer norm of 102.50 LMT. Reduction in Reserve Price of Rice under OMSS: A Strategic Step Towards Food Security and Sustainable Energy In a significant move to address the surplus rice stocks and promote sustainable energy, the Indian government has announced a reduction in the reserve price of rice held by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS). The reserve price has been slashed ...
Post a Comment
Read more