Many parts of India will continue to receive isolated showers from time to time until April 12, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday in an extended-range forecast for the remaining days of March and early April.
This could have a greater impact on crops ready for harvest that have already suffered considerable damage from the incessant rains in March. The standing wheat harvest could be delayed due to rains.
According to IMD, as of March 29, the country received around 26% more rainfall, with central India peaking at 202% more than normal between March 1 and 29, followed by southern India. of the Indian peninsula and eastern and northeastern India.
“In general, rainfall activity is likely to be above normal in the southern peninsula and central India and below normal in the rest of the country,” the Met said in its weather forecast. between April 6-12, while between March 30-April 6, scattered showers are expected across central India, north-western and eastern India over several days.
Last week, Dr. Gyanendra Singh, director of Karnal-based ICAR’s Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR), said that so far, untimely rains and hailstorms in several growing areas major ones might have damaged only about three percent of the total standing wheat crop, but it is not large enough to make a serious dent in the expected output of 112 million tons in FY24.
Separately, Food Corporation of India (FCI) Chairman Ashok K Meena told reporters that the agency is on track to achieve the targeted 34 million tonnes of procurement in FY24 thanks to a strong start to Madhya Pradesh shopping season. .
He also denied that the purchase of wheat is delayed anywhere in the country due to the rains and said that the FCI centers will open on time, but it is up to the farmers whether they will delay the delivery of the crop to make sure it dries properly to get the best value. .
“So far, the situation on the ground is that, at best, losses due to recent rains and hailstorms in wheat-growing areas do not exceed three percent, but despite that, we are fully on track to reach the estimated production of 112 million tonnes in Fy-24,” Singh had told Business Standard.
He said that his institute has also communicated the same to the highest government authorities.
IIWBR is among the top wheat crop research and development centers in the country and regularly monitors the progress of crops in its main production areas.
Singh, however, warned of the next round of rain and hail forecast in northern states on March 29 and 30, saying it could have a negative impact on the crop that has already become lodged in water.
“I am concerned about the next round of rain and hail forecast for March 29-30 and pray to God that he will not be harsh on farmers,” Singh said.
To what extent and how much the next round of rains will affect the standing crop is left to speculation.
