Rainfall in Northwest India Expected to Improve Rabi Sowing

New Delhi. Due to the convergence of the remnants of a cyclonic storm, a depression formed over the Andaman Sea, and an approaching active Western Disturbance, many states across the country are currently experiencing—or are about to experience—a spell of heavy rainfall.

According to the Meteorological Department, intense rain is occurring in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala in South India. Similarly, heavy rainfall is either underway or expected soon in the central and west-central regions—including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat—as well as in the northwestern states of Punjab,

Haryana, Delhi, and Chandigarh. In the Delhi-NCR region, a spell of heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, which began at 6:30 AM on October 29, is still continuing. Meanwhile, reports of torrential rain have also emerged from eastern India, including Bihar and other states. Further rainfall is expected in the coming week.

This heavy rainfall will not only increase soil moisture and alleviate drought conditions but will also raise water levels in dams and reservoirs. This will ensure the availability of water reserves for the irrigation of Rabi crops. In several states, severe drought conditions have hindered the sowing of Rabi crops, with the total sown area currently trailing behind last year’s figures. Farmers are now likely to see better progress in accelerating the sowing of crops such as wheat, barley, gram, lentils, peas, and mustard.