The hailstorm coupled with rain and strong cyclonic winds has played spoilsport for the much- expected bumper wheat crop in Punjab this year. Around 4 lakh hectares (9.88- lakh acres), which comes to over 10% of the total wheat crop, is under heavy lodging (flattening). More than 40 per cent damage to crop was reported in several parts of five districts of the state while 15 to 25 per cent lodging has been reported from various parts of the remaining districts.

According to the Met department, one more western disturbance is expected on March 23 which will bring rain and strong winds.

According to the initial estimate, lodging on around 3 lakh hectares (7.41 acres) area was reported from Patiala, Sangrur, Ludhaina, Moga, and Gurdaspour where heavy lodging was reported between 50,000 and 60,000 hecatres in each such districts.

The remaining districts have reported heay lodging between 5,000 and 20,000 hecatre crop. Punjab has 34.89 lakh hectares (86 lakh acres) under wheat crop and average yield on one hectare is 47 to 48 quintals.

Due to heavy hailstorm in Patiala, Sangrur,Ludhian and Moga, crop got damaged even upto 40%, said the department officials.

Director, Punjab Agriculture Department, Gurvinder Singh said that hailstorm has played havoc with crop in Patiala and Sangrur districts while reports of lodging have been coming from all parts of Punjab. “Lodging will certainly lead to loss of yield in wheat crop but still the exact loss will be calculated once the weather becomes normal,” he said, adding that still the bad weather would continue for the coming 24 hours as per predictions. He said that the process of final assessment of crop loss would be started soon after the weather is cleared.

Farmers are disappointed with such inclement weather conditions.

Shattered, Malkiat Singh from Pandori village said, “We cannot expect much from the fallen crop.”

Source - https://indianexpress.com