Farmers across Punjab are facing fresh concerns as weather conditions are expected to deteriorate, with rain, strong winds and hailstorms forecast for October 15. The warning comes at the peak of the paddy harvesting and procurement season, when large quantities of grain have arrived at mandis and much of the crop remains in the fields.
 

Meteorologists have warned that a western disturbance could bring strong winds, heavy rainfall and hailstorms to parts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. The forecast has heightened concerns among farmers, particularly as rain over the past few days has already left paddy fields wet.
 

According to the weather forecast, conditions in Punjab were expected to begin changing on the night of October 14, with further changes during the day on October 15. Winds could reach speeds of 40 to 50 kmph, accompanied by heavy rain and hail in some areas.
 

Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, Malerkotla, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Mohali and Chandigarh are among the areas where thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and hailstorms are expected.
 

The adverse weather could create further difficulties for farmers harvesting paddy and those waiting for their produce to be procured at mandis. Wet conditions may also affect crops still standing in the fields, adding to concerns following the recent rainfall.
 

Paddy Arrivals and Procurement in Punjab
 

According to the figures reported, Punjab’s mandis had received 29.62 lakh tonnes of paddy, of which 28.63 lakh tonnes had been procured. However, only 13.46 lakh tonnes had been lifted from the markets.
 

Paddy harvesting is continuing across the state, while large quantities of produce remain at procurement centres. The latest weather warning has raised concerns about the protection of harvested paddy awaiting procurement and lifting.
 

Rainfall in recent days had already left crops in fields and mandis wet, creating difficulties for farmers. With another spell of rain and possible hail forecast, farmers are concerned about further damage and disruption during the crucial harvesting season.