Winter rains remained completely far and few for the northern and eastern parts of the country. Courtesy, decent rains over the last 2 days, Punjab, Haryana, East Rajasthan and West Uttar Pradesh have recovered from the desiccated state. These rains, though delayed, but still a saviour for the farmers. However, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and East Uttar Pradesh continue to struggle, fighting dehydrated weather conditions during December 2022 and January 2023.
Conspicuously, active western disturbances have given amiss, this winter season, leaving anxious moments for the farming sector over North India. Eastern states of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal are still worse, witnessing treacherous weather conditions. Unlike this season, previous winters observed abundant rains throughout across all the three states.
Rain distribution is scary this season and detrimental for the health of crops, particularly so for small farmers. Even, East Uttar Pradesh, adjacent to Bihar has witnessed large deficit for the entire duration.
Irony is, that there is not even a dim hope for recovery, during 1st half of February for all these states. Delay in seasonal rainfall will shortly reach a 'no return' state. Contrarily, in the absence of rains, the temperatures will rise earlier than normal and not conducive for the cereal Rabi crops.