Surge in retreating rains may hit harvest for UP, Haryana farmers

On September 25, according to the IMD, western Uttar Pradesh received around 29.7 mm of rain, 889 per cent more than the normal for the day

The sudden surge in the retreating southwest monsoon, causing extensive showers in most of North India over the past few days, could delay the harvest of paddy, bajra, and jowar in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, apart from causing yield losses.

It could damage vegetables sown late in the season in UP, traders and farmer groups said.

Also impacted are crops such as sugarcane, largely in parts of UP, where rain has been extensive for the past few days.

But late rain could be a boon for early Rabi crops such as mustard and wheat owing to soil moisture going up