Rain might lash parts of North India again

Western disturbances are expected over parts of North India in the last week of March, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. The previous instance of such disturbances had led to widespread rains and hailstorms across most parts of northern and western India, causing widespread damage to crops and killing 12 people.

The disturbances could spell trouble for wheat, chana, mustard and vegetable farmers, already reeling under the impact of untimely rains since late February.

The IMD has said through the next week, the weather across most parts of the country is expected to remain dry, after which it might turn cloudy, with possible showers. “The current western disturbance over north Pakistan and the adjoining Jammu & Kashmir will move east-north-eastwards from March 17. However, there is a likelihood of a fresh western disturbance affecting northwest India during the last week of March,” IMD said in its last forecast. Prices of vegetables such as methi, cabbage, brinjal and cauliflower have almost doubled in the national capital, owing to low supplies on account of rains. Cauliflower, which was being sold at Rs 12-14 a kg in wholesale markets, is now priced at about Rs 20 a kg.

Widespread rains across several parts of North India through the past weekend have affected several rabi crops, dampening hopes of a bumper harvest. In Rajasthan, 25-30 per cent of the mustard seed crop has been damaged, while 10-15 per cent of the wheat in western Uttar Pradesh and Punjab has been damaged. Hailstorms in Nashik and other parts of Maharashtra have hit the onion, pomegranate and grape crops.

The UP government has announced a compensation package for farmers. Other state governments have started conducting surveys to assess crop losses. Before finalising a compensation package in this regard, the Centre is awaiting a report from states.