IMD forecasts rain, hail in Punjab & Haryana; farmers advised to defer harvesting

Punjab weather: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised farmers in Punjab and Haryana to postpone harvesting wheat and other rabi crops, noting that unseasonal rains, strong winds and hail are expected in the next few days due to western disturbances.

Strong winds and hail are expected to cause damage to plantations, horticulture, and standing crops. The weatherman has also advised farmers to store their harvested crops in safe places.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a weather bulletin on Saturday, predicting scattered to fairly widespread light or moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds over the western Himalayan region as well as Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi from March 18 to 20.

The hailstorm may also affect adjoining areas in Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan, according to the IMD bulletin.

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