Nearly 100% Rain Deficiency in 6 States, 2 UTs Raises Concern Over Rabi Wheat: Report

New Delhi: In news that may not bring cheer to farmers growing Rabi crops this winter, especially wheat, at least six states and two Union Territories (UTs) in North India have witnessed nearly 100% rain deficiency in January as well as a huge deficit in December.

Citing weather experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a report in Hindustan Times, attributed this to the absence  of strong western disturbances in the region.

“The unusual weather pattern may be attributed to global warming, Arctic Sea ice melting, or natural variability. The lack of rain and snow is also affecting Himalayan glaciers and water resources in the region,’ experts told the HT.

According to the weather department, this month saw no rain or snow in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Chandigarh. The hill states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have seen 99% rain deficiency.

Reports from Kashmir have already flagged an unprecedented dry winter in the UT, which has had hardly any snowfall this winter, causing great worry to apple farmers, as snow acts as an insulator to apple fruit on trees.

As per IMD, J&K recorded 79% rain deficiency, Himachal Pradesh 85%, Uttarakhand 75%, Punjab 70% and Haryana 54%, according to the HT report.

In Northern India, there has been a spell of dense fog and cold wave conditions, which experts attribute to lack of western disturbance in the region. The report said between December and January, usually five to seven western disturbance events are seen. But, this season, "no active western disturbance" has been seen yet.

IMD has attributed this to El Nino conditions over the equatorial Pacific.

On Monday, IMD said that “under the influence of a fresh western disturbance, light isolated rainfall/snowfall is likely over Western Himalayan Region from January 25 to 28.”

This may lead to light snowfall or rains in the Western Himalayan region.

Experts have also flagged grave concerns over the impact of such weather conditions on the Rabi wheat crop, more so if the dry soil conditions continue, especially on food security.

Wheat stocks in government godowns are already at a seven-year low, according to a report in the Indian Express.

With the ruling NDA government extending the free foodgrain programme for 81.35 crore poor beneficiaries for five years, with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the weather does not seem to be bringing good news as of now.