Wheat Crop Damaged by Unseasonal Rains in Several States

27-Mar-2026 10:47 AM

New Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that between March 11 and March 22, 2026, several states across the country experienced moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds. These states include Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

It is noteworthy that these six provinces account for over 90 percent of the country's total wheat production, while the remaining output comes from states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Some crop damage has also been reported in Uttarakhand.

The area under wheat cultivation has expanded from 328.04 lakh hectares last year to reach a record high of 334.17 lakh hectares this season. Based on this expansion, the Union Ministry of Agriculture has projected that the production of this vital food grain will surge from 1179.40 lakh tonnes in the 2024-25 season to an all-time high of 1202.10 lakh tonnes during the 2025-26 Rabi season.

However, in light of the damage inflicted upon the crop by unseasonal rains and strong winds, industry and trade analysts believe that the actual wheat production may fall short of the government's estimates.

Natural calamities have had a particularly severe impact on the wheat crop in four districts across Punjab, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, where production is feared to decline by 10 to 15 percent.

Furthermore, wheat crops in 21 districts across five other states have also been partially affected by storms and rainfall. Meanwhile, heavy arrivals of wheat have already begun in several states, including Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.