Northwest India, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, is on the brink of a fresh spell of rainfall and snowfall, beneficial for rabi crops like wheat, mustard, and barley, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The anticipated weather changes are expected to provide a much-needed respite, especially as minimum temperatures remain stable over the next four days before gradually increasing by 3-5°C in certain regions.
From January 22 to 24, light to moderate rainfall is predicted across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. In light of these conditions, the IMD has issued agrometeorological advisories for farmers and livestock owners due to anticipated low temperatures and gusty winds in several states.
Senior scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), who preferred to remain anonymous, indicated that while the winter rains can yield mixed outcomes, they generally favor rabi crops when they are light to moderate and well-distributed. “For crops such as wheat, mustard, and pulses, winter rainfall enhances soil moisture, supports grain formation, and decreases the irrigation requirements, particularly in rainfed areas,” they explained.
The IMD also forecasts isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall or snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Himachal Pradesh from January 18 to 21, with the precipitation intensifying from January 22 to 24. Isolated heavy snowfall is expected in Kashmir-Ladakh and high-altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh on January 23, alongside thunderstorms in Uttarakhand on January 23 and 24.
Farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha, East Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh are advised to apply light and frequent evening irrigation to safeguard crops against cold stress. As winter conditions still severely impact significant parts of the country, the IMD has reported a sharp dip in minimum temperatures recently. In some regions, these temperatures have fallen between 1°C and 4°C, particularly in Himachal Pradesh and parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, many locations in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and North Rajasthan have recorded lows between 5°C and 9°C, with Amritsar, Punjab, noting the lowest at 1.7°C.
As for the agricultural landscape, rabi sowing for the 2025-26 season experienced substantial growth of over 1.76 million hectares, totaling 64.42 million hectares as of January 9. This marks an increase of 2.8% compared to the previous year’s figures, largely attributed to enhanced acreage under wheat, rice, pulses, and oilseeds.
Furthermore, as regions brace for thunderstorms or strong winds, the IMD has urged farmers to provide mechanical support for horticultural crops and young fruit-bearing plants to prevent damage or lodging. Meanwhile, a warming trend is anticipated across much of India; specifically, Maharashtra could see its minimum temperatures increase by 2-4°C within the next four days.
In summary, while incoming rainfall heralds potential benefits for crop health, the ongoing temperature fluctuations will require careful monitoring by farmers across the affected states. As always, adhering to IMD advisories will be crucial in navigating this transitional period in Indian agriculture.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/imd-weather-update-northwest-india-to-receive-rain-and-snow-rabi-crops-may-benefit-11768731252001.html
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Publish Date: 2026-01-18 21:07:00
