Maharashtra urges farmers to delay sowing as monsoon onset unlikely before June 10
The India Meteorological Department has forecast afternoon clouds and thunderstorms mainly in the Vidarbha, Marathwada, central Maharashtra, and Khandesh regions.
Officials have urged people to ensure their own safety and that of their livestock during lightning strikes. (File Photo) With no possibility of the onset of the monsoon at least till June 10, the Maharashtra government has asked farmers not to rush to sow seeds by relying on thunderstorms and what may be pre-monsoon showers.
“The upcoming thunderstorms have nothing to do with the monsoon, as the monsoon has not yet reached Kerala. As of now, the monsoon is not likely to arrive in most parts of the state until at least June 10,” said an officer of the agriculture department.
The agriculture department has appealed to the public to take appropriate preventive measures in view of possible weather changes. “During thunderstorms and when incidents of lightning strike take place, people should avoid standing under trees, tin sheds, and near electrical transformers, electricity poles, and power lines,” said a public advisory issued by the government.
The department advised people to ensure their own safety and that of their livestock during lightning strikes.
Disaster management officials said the weather in the state has begun to change and will change further during the week starting June 1.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast afternoon clouds and thunderstorms mainly in the Vidarbha, Marathwada, central Maharashtra, and Khandesh regions. Some rain is also expected in Konkan. Along with this, the maximum temperature in the state will decrease compared to May, but in some parts of Vidarbha, mainly East Vidarbha, it will remain above 40 degrees, an official said.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said it is taking steps to ensure residents’ safety.
“Ektanagari on Sinhagad Road, which often has to be evacuated due to flooding as water from the Mutha river gushes into residential localities, is under focus. The PMC is constructing a retaining wall… The work has been undertaken on a war footing,” said Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore after a site visit with Mayor Manjusjha Nagpure.
They also visited other flood-prone locations on Sinhagad Road.
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