Rain boosts farmers’ hopes in Haryana, intensifies winter chill

Light to moderate rain that lashed the region on Friday morning brought cheer to farmers struggling with dry weather conditions, raising hopes of a good crop this season.

However, the rain also intensified the winter chill, forcing people to stay indoors. Many residents were seen huddled around bonfires to protect themselves from the biting cold.

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR) said the rain was timely, as early-sown wheat is at the flowering stage and timely-sown crops are at the jointing stage.

They said this rain not only saved one round of irrigation but would also improve growth and development of grains.

Anticipating the occurrence of yellow rust due to prevailing weather conditions, the scientists advised wheat farmers to remain vigilant, though no cases of the disease have been reported so far in northern parts of the country.

“Rain was required for the wheat crop at this time and it is highly beneficial,” said Dr Anuj Kumar, Principal Scientist, IIWBR.

Rainfall varied across the state, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Ambala recorded 14.5 mm of rainfall, while Hisar 9.5 mm, Karnal 3.2 mm, Narnaul 7.5 mm, Rohtak 5.6 mm, Bhiwani 15 mm, Sirsa 6.2 mm, Charkhi Dadri 5 mm, Gurugram 1 mm, Jind 1.2 mm, Mahendragarh 6 mm, Panipat 6 mm, Sonepat 5.5 mm and Yamunanagar 0.5 mm.

The IMD has forecast more rain over the next couple of days. Farmers have been advised not to spray chemicals on crops during this period and to ensure that there is no stagnation in fields, especially if irrigation was carried out before the rain, Kumar said.

Farmers expressed satisfaction over the favourable weather.

“We were waiting for the rain after a long dry spell,” said Sanjay, a farmer.

According to the IMD, moderate rain is likely over parts of Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Berikhas, Sampla, Rohtak, Bawani Khera, Hansi, Narnaund, Kharkhoda, Sonepat, Ganaur, Samalkha, Bapoli, Gharaunda, Thanesar, Meham, Gohana, Julana, Israna, Safidon, Jind, Panipat, Assandh, Kaithal, Narwana, Kalayat, Radaur, Barara, Jagadhri, Narayangarh, Panchkula, Guhla, Pehowa, Shahabad, Ambala, Chandigarh and Kalka.

It further predicts, light rain likely to occur over parts of Firozpur Jhirka, Punhana, Hodal, Hathin, Nuh, Palwal, Taoru, Ballabgarh, Sohna, Gurugram, Nangal Chaudari, Narnaul, Ateli, Mahendragarh, Kanina, Badhra, Loharu, Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani, Tosham, Adampur, Narnaund, Fatehabad, Faridabad, Sonepat, Ganaur, Samalkha, Bapouli, Gharaunda, Karnal, Indri, Thanesar, Panipat, Assandh, Kaithal, Nilokheri, Narwana, Sirsa, Tohana, Kalayat, Ratia, Radaur, Barara, Jagadhri, Chhachhrauli, Naryangarh, Panckula, Guhla, Pehowa, Shahabad and Kalka.