Rabi Crops at Risk Due to Storms and Rain in Northwestern States

06-Apr-2026 10:54 AM

New Delhi. The impact of rainfall is currently being witnessed across the northwestern, central, and southern states of the country. In the northwestern and central provinces, there is apprehension that Rabi crops may suffer damage due to unseasonal rainfall—accompanied by storms and strong winds—and, in some isolated pockets, hailstorms.

According to the Meteorological Department, this spell of unseasonal rainfall is likely to persist for the next two to three days, driven by the activity of a Western Disturbance. Meanwhile, in several parts of South India—specifically Tamil Nadu and Kerala—it is either currently raining or rain is imminent. However, since the cultivation of Rabi season crops in these provinces is limited to a relatively small area, significant damage is not anticipated there.

In major producing states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan—which are key producers of wheat, barley, gram, and mustard—crops are not only ripening but preparations for their vigorous harvest are also well underway.

At such a critical juncture, the onslaught of storms and rain could prove disastrous for these crops. Farmers often leave harvested crops in the fields or threshing grounds to dry; these stocks, too, face the risk of damage from this natural calamity. Furthermore, produce lying out in the open—whether in wholesale markets or at government procurement centers—is also vulnerable to damage.

Although the acreage under cultivation for the aforementioned four commodities has increased this year compared to the last, any crop damage caused by natural disasters could prevent the realization of the anticipated increase in production, and may also lead to a deterioration in the quality of the grain.