Thunderstorms likely in central, southern India starting weekend

NEW DELHI: The weather department has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by hail at several places in central and southern India starting this weekend. The unseasonal rains could hamper wheat harvesting.

Rains are forecast to occur in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka. A few places in Bihar and northeastern states are also expected to get rains.

According to the agricultural meteorology division, in the prevailing minimum temperature (around 18°C) with humidity, black rust may appear in wheat crop. There are also chances of aphids attack on late-sown wheat.

Farmers in the Northwest could take benefit of the wet soil and plant summer crops such as okra and cucurbitaceous crops.