After south India, the unusual rainfall is likely to damage the bumper wheat crop in Punjab, Haryana and western UP. Heavy rains lashed Delhi and the surrounding regions on Friday afternoon and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed it to the phenomena called ?western disturbances?.
According to the IMD the region would experience scattered and fairly widespread rainfall till Sunday. The rainfall may be accompanied with hailstorm and squall in some areas. The maximum temperature would dip in the range of 29 to 30 degree Celcius as against the normal of 34 to 35 degree Celcius. The weather will improve from Monday onwards with mainly clear sky with gradual rise in day temperatures.
In Punjab, Haryana and western UP, most of the wheat crop is yet to be harvested. The standing crops are already moisture laden due to low day temperatures in the past few days. The rains would worsen the situation.
In parts of south India the unusual widespread rainfall caused due to the ?easterly waves? from March 13-18 took heavy on standing crops, including rice.
In March Tamil Nadu recorded 801% more rainfall, whereas Kerala recorded 469% and Kranataka recorded and 1666% more rainfall respectively. The rainfall recorded in these three states was an all time high record since 1875. Andhra Pradesh recorded 811% more rainfall, second highest since 1875.