Cyclone Arnab Threatens Kharif Harvest as Heavy Rain Raises Crop Loss Fears

Cyclone Arnab has heightened concerns among farmers over the harvesting and safe storage of kharif crops, as heavy rainfall and strong winds affect eastern India and the threat of further rain extends to northern parts of the country.

Coastal areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have experienced extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds, while rain has spread to Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The adverse weather threatens standing crops, harvested paddy lying in the open and ongoing harvesting operations at a critical stage of the kharif season.

Moisture associated with the cyclone is also expected to interact with an approaching western disturbance, bringing rain to Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from Thursday afternoon into the early hours of Friday. Scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms are also possible.

Flash Flood Risk in 13 Andhra Pradesh Districts

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab had completed landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast by the morning of 28 October. The system was subsequently expected to weaken gradually, although the risk of heavy rainfall, waterlogging and flooding remained.

The weather department identified a moderate to high risk of flash floods in 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh and parts of Yanam. Low-lying areas were also considered vulnerable to waterlogging.

Despite the cyclone's expected weakening, continued rainfall could disrupt harvesting, damage standing crops and deteriorate the quality of harvested produce. Paddy fields and other agricultural land in vulnerable areas could face waterlogging, while strong winds may cause crops to lodge, making harvesting more difficult and increasing the risk of losses.

Rain and Thunderstorms Forecast in Northern India

According to the IMD's warning issued on 28 October, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab faced the possibility of thunderstorms, strong winds and hailstorms on 29 and 30 October. A warning of heavy rainfall was also issued for eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The forecast comes at a sensitive time for farmers in Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh, where paddy procurement is under way and sugarcane harvesting is beginning. Rain could disrupt harvesting, transportation and procurement operations. Wet paddy may also require additional drying before it can be safely stored or accepted at procurement centres.

In Uttar Pradesh, rainfall earlier in October had already delayed the start of sugarcane crushing operations. Further rain could cause additional delays, affecting the transportation of harvested cane to sugar mills and disrupting the start of the crushing season.

Paddy Crops Face the Greatest Risk

Paddy crops nearing harvest in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal are among the most vulnerable to the adverse weather.

Heavy rainfall and strong winds could flatten standing crops, increase waterlogging and affect grain quality. Lodging can complicate harvesting and increase the risk of grain losses. Paddy harvested and left in the open is also vulnerable to moisture damage and deterioration in quality if exposed to rain.

Other kharif crops, including cotton, soybean, maize and pulses, could also be affected. Excess rainfall may damage standing crops, delay field operations and complicate harvesting and post-harvest handling.