VARANASI: Farmers should keep harvested paddy under waterproof cover, clear field drainage and delay potato planting during heavy rain, according to the India Meteorological Department's agricultural advisory issued on Tuesday, October 27. The bulletin's Varanasi section, prepared for the BHU nodal area, gives separate instructions for rice, pulses, vegetables and livestock.
The advice applies to Varanasi district, including its farming areas in Pindra block, alongside eight other districts covered by the nodal unit. Bulletin 86/26 covers the period from 08:30 IST on October 27 to 08:30 IST on October 30. It provides practical decisions for crops at different stages, rather than a report of crop damage already recorded locally.
Protect the harvest and leave wet fields alone
For rice at maturity and harvesting stage, the advisory makes dry weather a condition for cutting fully mature crops before rainfall. Farmers should avoid harvesting during thunderstorms or heavy rain. Paddy already cut should not remain exposed in a field: the bulletin recommends waterproof cover or a safe storage area on higher ground.
Grain also needs drying to a safe moisture level before storage. The Varanasi guidance does not give a numerical moisture threshold, so farmers should not read a specific percentage into this notice. Its immediate instruction is to protect the harvested produce from rain and arrange suitable drying before putting it away.
For potatoes at sowing stage, the recommendation is to postpone ploughing, ridge preparation and planting during heavy rainfall. Work should resume after excess water has drained and the soil has reached suitable moisture for tillage. The advisory calls for healthy, certified seed tubers and proper drainage before planting.
These instructions are available in the official agricultural weather bulletin. The crop table identifies the BHU Varanasi nodal area as Varanasi, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Jaunpur and Mau. Advice elsewhere in the statewide document should be checked against the appropriate local crop table.
Vegetable picking and spraying need dry conditions
For cabbage, farmers should prevent water from stagnating around roots, harvest mature heads during suitable dry weather and remove damaged or diseased plant material where necessary. Chilli picking should wait until rainfall has stopped and the plants have dried. The guidance also calls for removing diseased chilli fruits and crop residues.
Okra growers should remove stagnant water and pick marketable fruits after rain stops and plants dry. Rotten or damaged fruits should be removed. Bottle gourd growers should keep drainage channels open, remove excess water promptly and prevent fruits and vines from remaining in contact with standing water.
The bulletin advises against pesticide application to okra during rain or when strong winds are expected, and against pesticide or fungicide spraying on bottle gourd during rainfall. For chilli, any plant protection chemical should be used in suitable weather according to its label, including the specified interval without rain after application.
- Rice: protect cut paddy and dry grain before storage.
- Potatoes: wait for drainage and workable soil before planting.
- Vegetables: clear drainage and choose dry conditions for picking.
- Livestock: provide secure, dry shelter and clean water.
Watch livestock shelter and the next update
For pigeon pea at pod formation, the Varanasi table recommends drainage and monitoring flowers, developing pods and foliage for pests. It cautions against unnecessary insecticide use during flowering to protect pollinators, and recommends integrated pest management with control measures when required.
Cattle should be kept in dry, ventilated, secure sheds with clean drinking water, balanced feed and dry fodder. Mouldy, rotten or excessively wet fodder should not be fed. The bulletin also calls for clean, dry bedding, hooves and udders, and protection from lightning and strong winds.
The next agricultural bulletin is scheduled for October 30. Readers can check IMD Lucknow for updated advice. Separate local background includes the October 29 rain warning, the subsequent forecast revision and an earlier storm related power disruption.
