10-20% yield loss in wheat crop likely due to heavy rains: Experts

With unusual widespread rains and high velocity winds lashing the northern region, about 10-20 per cent of timely sown wheat crop, which got flattened, could face yield loss, say experts.

Punjab and Haryana, which are major food grain growing states, have about 3.5 million hectares and 2.5 million hectares of area, respectively, under wheat in the current rabi season.

Heavy rains on Monday continued to lash most parts of Punjab and Haryana. Punjab received an average rainfall of 34 mm, with maximum rainfall recorded in Ropar (73 mm), Patiala (57 mm) Mohali (65 mm), Nawan Shahar (66mm) and Tarn Taran (43 mm).

In Haryana, a few blocks such as Nuh in Mewat, Ganaur in Sonepat, received rainfall of 71 and 80 mm, respectively.

Lodging refers to the term used to describe crop falling flat on the ground due to heavy rain and winds which causes yield loss in crop. Because of continuous rains in the past two days, fields in some wheat-growing areas in both the states have got submerged in water, raising fear of major crop loss.

"Excess water has entered the fields and it should immediately be drained out by farmers. Otherwise the water will damage the plants leading to more yield loss," said Indu Sharma, director, Indian Institute of Wheat & Barley Research.