Scorching temperatures swept across northern India over the past month, causing power outages and threatening human health. It has also led to reduced crop yields, spoiling in transit, and skyrocketing food prices.
Farmers and consumers are worried about the health, food-system, and economic impacts of the heat wave, which began earlier than usual for the season, lasting numerous weeks. Alerts were issued for various parts of the country, where late-April temperatures in many states ranged between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius (107 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit), per the Hindustan Times.
According to UPEP News, intense heat in the state of Haryana has had major effects on fruit and vegetable production and pricing. Okra and grapes experienced severe hikes, with okra climbing to 100 rupees (around $1.18) per kilogram from 80 rupees ($0.94) and grapes increasing from 70 rupees ($0.83) per kilogram in mid-March to 120 rupees ($1.42) in early April.
Those costs were reported by Jagran English, which said that other produce, including potatoes, tomatoes, chilies, bananas, and papayas, has also been hit by price surges. In two days' time, the prices of green vegetables rose by 30%. The outlet quoted Bhim Singh, speaking on behalf of India's Agriculture Department, as saying, "In the summer season, the prices of green vegetables increase and due to the heat, the production also decreases. The prices will remain the same for the next few days, and after the rains, the weather will improve."
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