At the time when India is already moving towards the major fall in the wheat output, expected hailstorm has further dampened the leftover hopes of the farmers in Punjab.
India is the world's second-biggest wheat producer, with Punjab being one of the largest contributor. Farmers are already under distress due to the weather vagaries, as wheat production is expected to be low for the second consecutive year in 2016 due to an unusual warm winter in central and northern India this season.
A fresh Western Disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir has induced a cyclonic circulation over Central Pakistan and adjoining Punjab and Haryana.
Under its influence, scattered light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely over plains of Punjab and Haryana. Isolated parts of Punjab may also receive hailstorm due to formation of convective clouds.
According to Skymet Weather, we generally see the formation of convective clouds during this season. Whenever convective clouds with the cloud top of 6 to 8 kilometers form, they are capable of giving hailstorm.
While rains will be beneficial in increasing the moisture level in soil, hailstorm can damage the crop up to great extent. The standing wheat plantations can fall flat on the ground, thereafter which they will not grow further.
This is the second straight year when India will accumulate lower wheat output after the series of bumper harvests since 2007.
In 2015, untimely rains and hailstorm during harvesting season had reduced the output to 88.94 million tonnes from 91.50 million tonnes a year.
Thousands of farmers had committed suicide in wake of the huge loss.
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