Western changes may adversely affect food security, crop productivity

The frequency and nature of western disturbances in India have changed over the past few years, which could affect agriculture and food security, the top official at the government's weather office said.

- Vijay C. Roy

Western disturbances—moisture-laden storms originating in the Mediterranean—play a crucial role in bringing rain and snowfall to the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir in the winter. Wheat and mustard are key winter crops cultivated in some of these states.

"The reduction in their frequency or intensity in winters is a matter of concern," M. Mohapatra, director general of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said in an interview.