Pune: The minimum temperature in the state has dropped, leading to a cold wave. In north Maharashtra, the mercury dropped below 15 degrees Celsius.

Wheat Research Centre at Niphad and Agriculture College in Dhule recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 13.7 degrees Celsius. Santacruz recorded a high of 36.3 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature continued to rise.

There is a cyclonic circulation over southwest Bay of Bengal. A low pressure area is active from bay of Manar to east-central Bay of Bengal. The southern districts of Maharashtra, including Vidarbha and Konkan, are experiencing heat wave conditions.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperature in the northern districts of the state is rising. The gap between the maximum and minimum temperatures in the state has widened.

In the 24 hours till Thursday morning, the maximum temperature in Dahanu, Solapur, Akola and Bhandara, including Santacruz, is above 35 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature in Niphad, Dhule, Nashik and Ahilyanagar dropped below 15 degrees Celsius. The met department has predicted that the fluctuations in temperature are likely to continue today.

Farmers wait for winter for wheat

Farmers in some parts of Satara district are gearing up to sow wheat as the cold wave sets in. Wheat, gram and jowar crops are likely to be sown in large numbers due to good rains this year.

Some farmers have completed sowing of jowar crops and the sown jowar is in the growing and growing stage. However, these sowings have not started due to lack of conducive environment for wheat and gram crops. Sowing is expected to be completed in the next one-and-a-half to two months. As soon as it gets cold, the sowing of the wheat crop will pick up pace.

Places with temperatures above 35 degrees:

• Santa Cruz 36.3,

• Dahanu 35.6, Solapur 35.3,

• Akola 35.2,

• Bhandara 35.

Places with temperatures below 15 degrees:

• Niphad 13.7,

• Dhule 13.7, Nashik 14.4,

• Ahilyanagar 14