Severe storms, including heavy rain and hail, struck India’s wheat belt just before harvest, impacting approximately 150,000 hectares of wheat and rapeseed in Punjab alone. Farmers in neighboring Haryana also reported damage to their fields. This setback comes as the farm ministry predicted a record harvest of 112 million tons this year. While officials expect some crop recovery, the damage may lower the likelihood of India lifting shipment curbs implemented since 2022. Despite the challenges, experts remain cautiously optimistic about the overall wheat crop’s condition.