Apprehension of Crop Damage Due to Heavy Rains and Floods

05-Sep-2026 10:48 AM

New Delhi. Intense activity of the Southwest Monsoon since the beginning of the month has brought heavy rainfall to the northern, central, eastern, northeastern, and northwestern states of the country, causing waterlogging in fields and submerging Kharif crops in many areas.

Heavy rains in Nepal, combined with sustained downpours in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, have caused major rivers—including the Ganges—to swell, leaving vast tracts of land in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal vulnerable to flooding. Flood-like conditions are also being witnessed in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The opening of sluice gates at several dams has further exacerbated the flood crisis in downstream areas.

While torrential rains and the risk of flooding are typical for July and August, this year the situation has unfolded in September. Meanwhile, South India is grappling with drought conditions. The combination of floods, heavy rains, and drought has put pulse and oilseed crops at risk.