Western disturbance hits North India, threatening wheat harvests
Western disturbance hits North India, threatening wheat harvests
Unseasonal rain, hail, and fresh snowfall disrupt crops and transport as farmers brace for harvest in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Unseasonal rain, hailstorms and fresh snowfall have swept across North India, disrupting daily life and raising concerns for farmers. Across the plains, a Western disturbance has dumped unseasonal showers in the wheat belt, while higher elevations saw snowfall that led to road blockages and altered travel plans.
Farmers in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan report fears of damage to standing crops just ahead of the harvest window. While some fields may benefit from the moisture, others risk lodging, fungal diseases, or crop losses if rainfall arrives during critical development stages.
In the hills, snowfall has disrupted connectivity, with roads intermittently blocked and access to markets and health facilities affected. Authorities warn of possible waterlogging, landslides and flash floods in vulnerable valleys, prompting rain-and-water management agencies to alert districts and prepare relief funds.
Officials say losses are being assessed and relief measures are being prepared, including crop insurance claim processing and assistance for affected farmers. The situation adds to anxieties ahead of the upcoming wheat harvest, which is a major economic activity in the region.
In Delhi, the disturbance keeps skies cloudy and temperatures settling below normal. Day temperatures may hover around 30-32°C with nights 17-19°C, while next few days could bring more scattered rain as Northwest India continues to feel the impact.
