India, Jan. 9 -- Boro rice seedbeds in Ishwardi are being severely affected by continuous dense fog and a cold wave. According to the Agriculture Department, when temperatures fall below 18 degrees Celsius, seedbeds of boro and almost all other crops become vulnerable to damage. Since the beginning of the Bengali month of Poush, temperatures in Ishwardi have been dropping to alarmingly low levels.

On Wednesday (23 Poush), the minimum temperature in Ishwardi was recorded at 7.3 degrees Celsius, whereas it was 13.8 degrees at the beginning of Poush. Under these conditions, tender boro rice seedlings are losing their deep green color and gradually becoming shriveled and yellowish due to the combined impact of the cold wave and dense fog.

A...