October rains 80% more than normal over the country; North India leads

Paddy, maize, sugarcane, potato crop impacted; showers to recede now

The October rains have been severe in many parts of the country, mostly in the North Indian states of UP, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh since the beginning of the month.
 

The late rains have badly impacted standing kharif crops, inundating large tracts of the farmland.

This could lead to drop in yields of paddy, bajra, maize, early sown potatoes, soybean and even sugarcane. However, the extent of losses will be clear only after the water recedes from the fields.

In the case of sugarcane too, farmers foresee some loss in yields in areas where the showers have been heavy.

 

In UP, farmers said the problem is more intense as much of the paddy is cultivated on leased land which deprives growers from any government benefits.

"Intense water logging the past few days has damaged the standing paddy crop. I had spent Rs 9,000 on seeds and inputs, but now I don't think even four quintal paddy will be harvested. As the land is on lease, I don't expect any government help," Rekha Devi from Barabanki village said.
 

The rains, which could also delay the harvest, might be a boon for the rabi sowing season.