<p>Mumbai: India is poised to enter the summer season with one of the warmest March months on record, and above-average temperatures throughout most of the month threaten to cut yields of the maturing <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-braces-for-warmer-february-wheat-crop-at-risk-3380223">wheat crop</a>, two weather bureau sources said.</p>.<p>India, the world's second-biggest wheat producer, is counting on a bumper harvest in 2025 to avoid costly imports, after three consecutive years of poor crop yields since 2022.</p>.<p>Higher temperatures could reduce yields for the fourth straight year, trimming overall production and forcing authorities to lower or remove the 40% import tax to facilitate overseas shipments to tide over shortages.</p>.Heatwave alert for Mumbai, neighbouring districts as mercury soars.<p>"March is going to be unusually hot this year. Both the maximum and minimum temperatures will remain above normal for most of the month," said a senior official at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), who did not wish to be identified ahead of the official announcement from the weather office.</p>.<p>The IMD is expected to release its forecast for March temperatures on Friday.</p>.<p>Day temperatures are expected to start rising from the second week of March, and by the end of the month, maximum temperatures could exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) in many states, the official said.</p>.<p>After a sharp rise in temperatures in February and March shrivelled the wheat crop, India was forced to ban exports of the staple in 2022.</p>.<p>India's wheat-growing states in the central and northern belts are likely to see a sudden jump in maximum temperatures from the second week of March, with temperatures potentially rising up to 6 degrees Celsius above average, said the second IMD official.</p>.<p>"March is not going to be conducive for wheat, chickpea and rapeseed. Crops could experience heat stress," he said.</p>.<p>Winter crops, such as wheat, rapeseed, and chickpeas, are planted from October to December and require cold weather conditions throughout their growth cycle for optimal yields.</p>.<p>Indian wheat prices jumped to a record high this month due to dwindling supplies.</p>.<p>"February was pretty warm. If March stays hotter than normal, wheat production could take a big hit," said a New Delhi-based dealer with a global trade house.</p>
<p>Mumbai: India is poised to enter the summer season with one of the warmest March months on record, and above-average temperatures throughout most of the month threaten to cut yields of the maturing <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-braces-for-warmer-february-wheat-crop-at-risk-3380223">wheat crop</a>, two weather bureau sources said.</p>.<p>India, the world's second-biggest wheat producer, is counting on a bumper harvest in 2025 to avoid costly imports, after three consecutive years of poor crop yields since 2022.</p>.<p>Higher temperatures could reduce yields for the fourth straight year, trimming overall production and forcing authorities to lower or remove the 40% import tax to facilitate overseas shipments to tide over shortages.</p>.Heatwave alert for Mumbai, neighbouring districts as mercury soars.<p>"March is going to be unusually hot this year. Both the maximum and minimum temperatures will remain above normal for most of the month," said a senior official at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), who did not wish to be identified ahead of the official announcement from the weather office.</p>.<p>The IMD is expected to release its forecast for March temperatures on Friday.</p>.<p>Day temperatures are expected to start rising from the second week of March, and by the end of the month, maximum temperatures could exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) in many states, the official said.</p>.<p>After a sharp rise in temperatures in February and March shrivelled the wheat crop, India was forced to ban exports of the staple in 2022.</p>.<p>India's wheat-growing states in the central and northern belts are likely to see a sudden jump in maximum temperatures from the second week of March, with temperatures potentially rising up to 6 degrees Celsius above average, said the second IMD official.</p>.<p>"March is not going to be conducive for wheat, chickpea and rapeseed. Crops could experience heat stress," he said.</p>.<p>Winter crops, such as wheat, rapeseed, and chickpeas, are planted from October to December and require cold weather conditions throughout their growth cycle for optimal yields.</p>.<p>Indian wheat prices jumped to a record high this month due to dwindling supplies.</p>.<p>"February was pretty warm. If March stays hotter than normal, wheat production could take a big hit," said a New Delhi-based dealer with a global trade house.</p>