The annual cold spell has begun in Nashik with nighttime temperatures dropping to 15.4 degrees Celsius. In Mumbai, the maximum temperature remained 35 degree Celsius and minimum was 21 degree Celsius on Sunday, hinting at no immediate drastic change in weather.
The temperature in Nashik began dropping from Thursday but became noticeable on Saturday. The cold wave is also early compared to last year, when temperatures dipped suddenly on December 18. Due to less-than-average rainfall, locals geared up for a hot October, but it passed off and pleasant weather was witnessed during the Navratri celebrations. “This chilly climate is most suitable for rabi crops like wheat, chana and ‘unhal’ variety of onions. But it is disastrous for grapes,” farmer and social worker Vikram Kadam of Kadam Mala said. Nashik has a history of cold weather. It may be recalled that hoar frost was observed in Nashik in February 2012 and the phenomenon was observed again in Niphad. Hoar frost is a new natural change witnessed in the region, apparently due to environment changes.
During this decade, temperatures have dipped by two degrees Celsius. Last year the temperature hovered around 7.3 degrees Celsius in December and three people, reportedly beggars, died under the Godavari bridge in the city. Nashik is the largest producer of grapes in India and most of its vineyards are located in Niphad. Vineyard owners compound the farms with gunnysack cloth to keep out the cold. Below the vines, bonfires are lit to keep the area warm in a tedious process.
The grape berries develop cracks due to the cold and if they contain water, the fruit is ruined. Harvesting of grapes in Nashik begins in January and February. It is precisely for this reason that these grapes have a high export market as no other country harvests the fruit this early.
As per the weather bulletin, Colaba and Santa Cruz recorded a temperature of 35 degree Celsius and humidity of 64 and 65 per cent respectively on Sunday.
