Repeated occurrence of unseasonal rains over the plains of North India have been adding to the mounting crop losses. The latest spell of rain has spelled disaster for wheat, green fodder and vegetable crops and flattened hopes of a bumper crop harvest.
In last 24 hours, Chandigarh received 15.7 mm of rain and Patiala 14.4 mm. Ambala and Hiasar in Haryana received 11.6 mm and 11.2 mm, respectively.
Most of the farmers fear that wheat yield is likely go down by at least 30% this year. As per reports, vegetable gardens of chillies, cauliflower, cabbage, and tomato have been destroyed across Gujarat and Maharashtra. Several parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab have also been impacted by the untimely rain.
This has led to a sharp rise in vegetable prices across North India. There has been a 30 to 40% increase in prices of vegetables at Delhi’s wholesale markets as well. Perishable items, like vegetables and fruits, are the worst affected.
The prices of green vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower, have almost doubled over the past weekend in the national capital. Cauliflower, which goes at ₹12 to 14 per kg in the wholesale market touched ₹ 20 per kg last Sunday at Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi.
Sky has opened up now in the plains, rain has receded, and maximum are likely to rise. Tomorrow, maximums in Delhi will settle around 27°C.
The hills were lashed by very good precipitation for the fourth consecutive day. On Monday, Banihal recorded 66.1 mm of rain. Srinagar received 23.8 mm of rain. Bhaderwah and Katra also received above 50 mm of rain.
