The state of Punjab and Haryana is going through a dry spell. The southern parts of both the states are observing temperatures more than 40 degrees resulting in a heatwave like conditions in pockets. The last one week has gone nearly dry for most of Punjab and a large portion of Haryana as well. Similar conditions are going to prevail till 23rd June and relent thereafter.
Punjab and Haryana are the agri-bowl of India and carry fortune of the Kharif crop season. Despite the labour shortage, paddy sowing is in full swing and is hinting towards record harvest. Paddy is an extremely water-intensive crop and any amount of rain is welcome at this stage. However, the weather gods do not seem to be very kind and farmers are relying more on their back up resources.
The last two weeks have experienced contrasting weather conditions; the first one scoring big over the second. Despite the dry spell, both states are still more than the normal rainfall in the first fortnight of June.
The next week is not promising for any good rains for most parts of both the states. The temperatures are going to be more than 40 degrees across the entire region and heatwave is likely over a few parts contiguous to the state of Rajasthan. Dust storm and thunderstorm followed by some patchy rains at few places along the foothills is likely on 19th and 20th June. The western disturbance is likely to approach on the 24th June when a cyclonic circulation is marked over parts of North Rajasthan and Punjab. Good rains providing relief can be expected between 24-26 June. The excess rainfall so far is likely to get consumed largely during one week of dry spell.
