If there's one thing that makes our summer sufferings tolerable, it is them mangoes. However, mango-lovers in Lucknow are not going to be very lucky this year. Aam- the King of Fruits is all set to turn khaas this season, as the yield turnout in Lucknow's Malihabad and other UP cities is much lower than expectations.

The maddening March heat followed by the heatwave in April and further mercury rise in May has not only dulled out humans but also taken a toll on mangoes!

Talking about the reason behind the low yield, Insram Ali, President of All India Mango Growers Association said, "More than 20% of the fruit has been lost due to the temperature that started rising in March and continued in April."

Notably, mango crops are known to produce a good quantity of fruit every alternate year. In line with this cycle, the Malihabad mango belt has also faced the brunt of adverse weather conditions. The 'off-weather' in addition, has intensified to the blow.

Naseem Baig, President of the Malihabad Phal Mandi Samiti, said, "This was not what we had expected. The flowering known as 'baur' got destroyed due to heat. The high temperature and scorching heat have not only impacted Dussehri but also the late-maturing varieties like Chausa, Langda, Safeda and Lakhnauva, all of which are also high on export demand."

"When the baur itself gets destroyed it does not leave much for the growers for damage control," added Baig.

Uttar Pradesh is touted to be the second-largest producer of mangoes in the country after Andhra Pradesh. With at least four lakh hectares under mango cultivation in the north and central parts, UP produces more than 120 varieties of this people's-favourite fruit.

Even though all of this might sound pretty sad, there is one positive thing that assures us, all is not lost yet! While the quantity of produce might have taken a hit this year, the quality of mangoes will get even better, claim experts.

And before you get all happy, let us warn you that buying mangoes is not going to be an aam baat this time, for its going to be more expensive too!

Salim, a mango grower said, "Since less yield means more nutrition for the surviving fruits, Dussehri is expected to be sweeter, juicier and bigger in size and of course, more expensive too."

Likely to be available in the market by the month-end or early June, the price of Dussehri will be decided after the harvest and assessment of quality, claim the producers.

-with inputs from IANS.