Unusual March heat wave hits Haryana: Temperatures soar to 37.5 degrees Celsius
India
Haryana is facing an unusual March heat wave, with temperatures soaring up to six degrees Celsius above normal: Mahendragarh hit 36.2 degrees Celsius and Hisar reached 37.5 degrees Celsius.
The IMD says dry weather will continue for most of the week, with just a bit of rain expected on March 15.
Experts warn of similar yield loss as in 2022
This sudden heat is tough on wheat crops. It speeds up ripening and shrinks the grains, which in extreme cases could mean up to 20% less yield.
Experts are urging farmers to give light irrigation and spray potassium nitrate to help protect their crops from stress.
A similar past heat wave led to a big drop in national wheat yields, so there's concern about a repeat in 2026.