Punjab: Rain to delay wheat harvesting

Wheat harvesting is likely to be delayed due to rain that lashed the border districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Tarn Taran on Monday and Tuesday.

Wheat harvesting is likely to be delayed due to rain that lashed the border districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Tarn Taran on Monday and Tuesday.

Experts say the harvesting may begin after April 20 if the weather remains dry.

Heavy spell of rain lashed the Ajnala belt on Tuesday resulting in waterlogging of the fields. Experts say this will further damage the crop. Rain and hailstorm since March have already damaged the wheat and vegetable crops in the region. The quality of wheat grain is bound to be affected and the procurement agencies may not purchase the grain due to high moisture content.

However, the rain will not have much effect on sugarcane and other crops, said an official of the district agriculture department.