LUCKNOW, March 9 -- Mango orchards in the Malihabad belt are witnessing healthy flowering this season, but scientists have cautioned that rising temperatures across Uttar Pradesh and North India, as forecast by the India meteorological department (IMD), could threaten the blossoms if the heat intensifies in the coming weeks.

Experts at the ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) in Lucknow's Rehmankhera said the current temperature range remains favourable for mango flowering, raising hopes for a satisfactory crop this year.

Director of the institute T Damodaran said the weather is presently ideal for the flowering stage but warned that a sharp increase in temperature could damage the delicate blossoms.

"Right now th...