The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has issued a special weather advisory for the likely heavy rain. It said that, according to the Meteorological Department, moderate to heavy rain is likely across the country on 26-28 May, with a strong chance of heavy rain in the coastal districts in particular.

In this situation, it has given several agro-meteorological tips to protect crops from the harmful effects of the rain:

1. Harvest boro rice quickly once it is 80 per cent ripe and store it in a safe place.

2. Quickly harvest vegetables and fruit that have ripened.

3. Hold off on irrigation, fertiliser and pesticide application.

4. Raise the bunds of your fields.

5. Keep drainage channels clear so that water does not collect in the fields.

6. Tie up sugarcane clumps, and stake bananas, other horticultural crops and vegetables.

7. Put nets around ponds so fish are not washed away by heavy rainwater.

8. Keep cattle, ducks and chickens in a dry, safe place.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.