Weather advisory issued for farmers

The Meteorological department has issued following weather advisory for farmer for period from February 11 to 20, 2012. Temperature Forecast: Day & night temperatures expected to be normal in most of the agricultural plains of the country during the decade.

Rain Forecast: Punjab: Isolated chances of rain (with snow over the hills) on February 15 and 16 and on February 19 and 20. However, dry/cold weather expected during rest of the decade. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Isolated chances of rain (with snow over the hills) on February 14 and 15 and on February 19 and 20. However, dry/cold weather expected during rest of the decade.

Sindh: Mainly dry weather is expected in most of the agricultural plains of the province during the decade. Balochistan: Isolated chances of rain (with snow over the hills) in northern parts on February 14 and 15. However, dry/cold weather expected during rest of the decade.

Gilgit-Baltistan & Kashmir: Isolated chances of rain (with snow over the hills) during February 14 to 16 and February 18 to 20. However, dry/cold weather expected during rest of the decade. Wind Forecast: Normal wind pattern may prevail in most of the agricultural plains of the country during the decade.

Advisory for Farmers: (1) Wheat crop is in Shooting/Heading/Flowering development stages in most of the agricultural plains of the country. Farmers are advised to irrigate the crops by keeping coming conditions of weather in most of the agricultural plains of the country.

(2) The recent rains have positive impact on crops especially on wheat crop in most of the agricultural plains of the country. Farmers should apply weeds removing spray & fertiliser doze to standing crops before coming rains from 15th of the month.

(3) Farmers in the lower half of the country especially those in central regions are advised to take up poultry rearing houses to maintain optimum room temperature and take care against the rapid changes in air temperature and relative humidity.

(4) Farmers have been advised to ensure field sanitation and spray prophylactic fungicidal sprays to prevent spread of diseases on vegetables.