Extensive damages to crops in various states stoke fears of inflation

PUNJAB AND RAJASTHAN WERE STARING AT MAJOR LOSSES AFTER HEAVY RAINS WHILE IMPACTS HAVE BEEN LOCALISED IN OTHER STATES

- Zia Haq

Torrential rains have battered summer-planted crops in key food-bow states, especially in the northern and central plains, including paddy, cotton, gram and soyabean, said officials and farmers.

The monsoon has dumped overall 8% excess rainfall since its onset in June, as precipitation in Augustin Punjab, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was nearly 50% above normal.

Punjab received 74% above-normal rainfall in August, leading to its worst flood in four decades. Overflowing rivers have submerged standing crops, raising the risk of pest attacks, yellowing and stunted yields. Rainfall deviations of between 14% to 10% are known toaffect sowing, yields and prices.