Bathinda, Oct. 5 -- Harvesting of paddy is likely to be delayed for at least four to five days after light rains and winds lashed the entire Malwa region in the wee hours of Sunday. Worried farmers said that more rain and winds pose a threat to the flattening of kharif crops of cotton and paddy.

State agriculture authorities said no crop damage was reported due to the sudden change in the climatic conditions in Bathinda and adjoining districts.

"Showers were expected, and farmers were duly informed about the climatic conditions. There is no field report of any major damage to cotton or paddy crops in the region," said an official of the state agriculture department.

Presently, farmers are engaged in the first picking of cotton, whereas...