Weather pundits warn farmers of pest/viral attacks

Meteorological department has warned the farmers of pest and viral attacks on their standing crops in the wake of current seasonal rainy spells and advised them to take protective measures. "Pest/viral attacks and more weeds growth are expected after recent monsoon rains in sugarcane and other standing crops in the upper parts of the country," the weather pundits said in its 10-day farmers' advisory ending on August 31.
It said that the farmers should take timely precautionary measures to protect their standing crops, especially the sugarcane, and urged them to step up efforts to remove infield weeds which are expected to emerge from monsoon rains. The farmers of rain affected areas, who rely on tube-wells for watering their crops in upcountry areas, should also schedule their irrigation pattern in line with next 10 days weather forecast.
Farmers should be very careful as the rainfall/gusty winds after irrigation cause water logging of standing crops like maize, sugarcane and cotton. Farmers have also been urged to take timely steps to protect their standing crops, livestock and property ahead of the expected rains. Moreover, farmers of cotton belt have also been advised to be aware of the adverse effects of stagnant rainwater in the fields during monsoon. "Mechanism for draining out stagnant water from fields should be evolved on priority and necessary measures should be taken to overcome the problem," it suggested.
It said that light to moderate rainfalls at isolated places are expected over most of the agricultural plains of Punjab during the period. Light rainfall has also been forecast at isolated places of lower Sindh at the end of second half of the forecast period. About Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it said, heavy rainfalls at isolated places are expected over most of the agricultural plains of the province during the period.
For Balochistan, the Met Office forecast mainly dry weather. However, light rainfall may hit north-western parts of the province during the second half of the period, it added. It said mostly cloudy weather with light to moderate rainfall over hills is expected in most parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. About Kashmir, it said, mainly cloudy weather with light to moderate rainfall over hills is expected at its isolated parts.