Brief Idea about Special Weather Phenomena and Hazard Weather Events
Special weather phenomena and hazardous weather events have a significant impact on agriculture and horticulture. These events can cause severe damage to crops, soil, and farming systems. Understanding their nature, period, area of occurrence, and effects on crops helps farmers take preventive and management measures.
1. Cyclonic Storm and Storm Surge
Nature: Cyclonic storms are intense low-pressure systems accompanied by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms. Storm surge refers to the rise in sea level due to cyclones.
Period and Area: Commonly occur in coastal regions of India such as Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, mainly during pre-monsoon (April–June) and post-monsoon (October–December).
Effect on Crops: Causes flooding, lodging of crops, soil erosion, and salinity in coastal soils.
Crop Management: Use of windbreaks, proper drainage, salt-tolerant crop varieties, and timely harvesting before storms.
2. Flood
Nature: Flood is the overflow of water that submerges land areas, mainly due to heavy rainfall or river overflow.
Period and Area: Occurs during monsoon season (June–September) in regions like Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Effect on Crops: Waterlogging, root damage, nutrient loss, and crop destruction.
Crop Management: Raised bed planting, proper drainage systems, flood-resistant varieties, and timely re-sowing.
3. Drought
Nature: Drought is a prolonged period of low rainfall leading to water scarcity.
Period and Area: Common in arid and semi-arid regions such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Maharashtra.
Effect on Crops: Reduced growth, wilting, low yield, and crop failure.
Crop Management: Use of drought-resistant crops, mulching, efficient irrigation methods like drip irrigation, and water conservation techniques.
4. Heat Wave and Cold Wave
Nature: Heat wave refers to extremely high temperatures, while cold wave refers to extremely low temperatures.
Period and Area: Heat waves occur in summer (April–June) in northern and central India. Cold waves occur in winter (December–January), especially in northern regions.
Effect on Crops: Heat waves cause drying and scorching of plants, while cold waves cause frost damage and slow growth.
Crop Management: Irrigation during heat, mulching, shading, and frost protection methods like smoke and irrigation during cold conditions.
5. Hail Storm
Nature: Hailstorms involve the fall of ice pellets during thunderstorms.
Period and Area: Occur mainly in winter and pre-monsoon seasons in northern and central India.
Effect on Crops: Physical damage to leaves, fruits, and stems leading to yield loss.
Crop Management: Use of protective nets, timely harvesting, and crop insurance.
6. Western Disturbances
Nature: Western disturbances are weather systems originating from the Mediterranean region, bringing rainfall and snowfall.
Period and Area: Occur during winter (December–February) in northern India.
Effect on Crops: Beneficial for Rabi crops like wheat due to rainfall, but excessive rain can damage crops.
Crop Management: Proper drainage, timely sowing, and protection from excessive moisture.
Conclusion
Special weather phenomena and hazardous events greatly influence agricultural productivity. Understanding their characteristics helps farmers adopt suitable crop management practices to reduce losses. For ITI Horticulture students, knowledge of these events is essential for effective planning and sustainable farming.
Horticulture
ITI Horticulture Trade
The ITI "Horticulture" trade is a one-year vocational training program under the Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS), governed by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). This course equips trainees with skills in cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants, managing nurseries, landscaping, and applying sustainable horticultural techniques.