Clear 10 ft Area Around Transformers in Fields or Risk Crop Fires: Advisory

The Sonipat Agriculture Department has issued an important advisory for farmers who have electrical transformers installed in their fields. Farmers are urged to completely clear the area around these transformers to prevent fire incidents caused by sparks. 

This precautionary advisory comes as the Rabi season reaches its final stage. Mustard harvesting has already begun, and wheat crops will be fully ripe and ready for harvesting within the next 10-20 days. With temperatures continuously rising, sparks from transformers can easily ignite the dry, ripe crops in the fields. 

Specific Safety Instructions

The advisory directs farmers to clear the ground completely within a 10-foot radius under and around transformers in their fields. Additionally, farmers should plow this cleared area so that any sparks that fall will remain in the soil and not reach any crop stubble. For fields with tube wells, farmers are instructed to ensure water is collected in the tube well basin as an additional safety measure.

Weather Conditions Increase Risk

The department notes that April typically brings stronger winds, which can cause a fire starting in one field to spread rapidly, potentially burning hundreds of adjacent fields to ashes. This makes preventive measures particularly important during this period.

Crop Status in Sonipat 

Sonipat district currently has wheat crops growing on 145,000 hectares of land. Additionally, mustard was cultivated on 10,000 acres, with its harvesting now complete. Wheat harvesting is expected to begin in the first week of April. 

The Agriculture Department has also advised farmers to regularly inspect their fields as part of overall fire prevention efforts.