Archive · 19 Jan 2026
India's Rabi Crops Benefit from Rain and Snow
Northwest India, including places like Punjab and Haryana, is going to get rain and snow in the next few days.
This is good news for farmers because it helps their crops like wheat, mustard, and barley grow better.
The weather will also get a bit warmer after a few days.
The government is telling farmers to take care of their crops by giving them water in the evening and making sure they are safe from strong winds.
This rain and snow might also help other parts of India feel less cold.
Overall, it's a good thing for farmers and their crops.
Additionally, the area sown to wheat has reached a record 33.41 million hectares in the 2025-26 rabi season, which is a big increase from last year.
Other crops like pulses, coarse cereals, and oilseeds have also seen increases in the area sown.
Northwest India, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, is expected to receive rainfall and snowfall from 18-24 January, benefiting rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, and barley.
Minimum temperatures are expected to remain stable for the next four days, followed by a gradual rise of 3-5°C in select regions.
The IMD has issued agrometeorological advisories for farmers and livestock owners due to low temperatures, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected in several states.
Rabi sowing in 2025-26 has increased by 1.76 million hectares to 64.42 million hectares as of 9 January, driven mainly by increased acreage under wheat, rice, pulses, and oilseeds.
Areas sown to wheat have touched a record 33.41 million hectares in the 2025-26 rabi season, up 0.61 million hectares from the previous year, with pulses, coarse cereals, and oilseeds also seeing increases.
- Who
- India Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Farmers in Northwest India and other affected regions, Agriculture Ministry
- What
- Rainfall and snowfall forecast for Northwest India, benefiting rabi crops and providing respite from cold, record wheat sowing in 2025-26 rabi season
- When
- 18-24 January, with temperature rise expected after 4 days, wheat and other rabi crops to be harvested from March onwards
- Where
- Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha, East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, East India, Central India
- Why
- To benefit rabi crops, improve soil moisture, support grain formation, and reduce the need for irrigation, especially in rainfed areas, good weather conditions
- Regions affected
- Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha, East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, East India, Central India
- Forecast period
- 18-24 January
- Expected rainfall
- Light to moderate
- Expected snowfall
- Isolated to scattered, with isolated heavy snowfall in Kashmir-Ladakh and higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh on 23 January
- Temperature change
- Gradual rise of 3-5°C in select regions after 4 days
- Rabi crops benefited
- Wheat, mustard, barley, pulses, coarse cereals, oilseeds
- Rabi sowing increase
- 1.76 million hectares to 64.42 million hectares as of 9 January 2025-26
- Area increase percentage
- 2.8% higher than a year ago
- Wheat sowing
- 33.41 million hectares in 2025-26, up 0.61 million hectares from previous year
- Pulses sowing
- 13.7 million hectares in 2025-26, up from 13.3 million hectares
- Gram sowing
- 9.58 million hectares in 2025-26, up from 9.12 million hectares
- Coarse cereals sowing
- 5.87 million hectares in 2025-26, up from 5.59 million hectares
- Oilseeds sowing
- 9.68 million hectares in 2025-26, up from 9.33 million hectares
- Total rabi acreage
- 65.23 million hectares, up 3.31% from previous year
Sources
Northwest India to receive rain and snow; rabi crops may benefit
For government’s reform drive to succeed, rationalise agri subsidies
How a ‘Goldilocks combination’ in agriculture has kept food inflation at bay
J&K braces for widespread rain and snow after prolonged dry spell
Light Rain Likely In Pune, North Maharashtra Between Jan 20-24 As Cold Subsides
Cold Wave In North India: IMD Issues Dense Fog Alert In These Regions; Check Weather Details
J&K Met Dept predicts moderate to heavy snowfall from Jan 22
Wheat sowing touches record 33.41 mn hectares in 2025-26
India wheat sowing touches record 33.41 million hectares in 2025-26 rabi season
