Wheat at risk as Punjab faces early heatwave
India
Punjab is dealing with an unusually early heatwave: temperatures are 7.5 degrees Celsius higher than normal, and every district is seeing highs above 30 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) says it is about to get even hotter in the next few days.
Experts recommend potassium nitrate sprays to protect crops
This sudden spike in heat could seriously hurt Punjab's wheat harvest, shrinking grain size and cutting yields by up to 20%.
Experts are urging farmers to water crops lightly and use potassium nitrate sprays to help protect their fields.
The Agriculture Department also recommends urea sprays and keeping an eye out for rust, hoping these steps can soften the blow from this tough weather.