Karnal, March 17 -- Rain and changing weather conditions will be beneficial for the wheat crop," said Wazir Singh, deputy director of agriculture, Karnal, after overnight light rain on Sunday-coupled with gusty winds and hailstorms-brought mercury levels back to normal.

"Earlier, the wheat crop, particularly the late variety, was being impacted by a sudden rise in temperature. While lodging or flattening may have occurred in some areas, it is non-significant; overall, the rain will benefit the crop. We have advised farmers not to irrigate their fields for now," Singh added.

However, farmers have complained of crop flattening at a few places due to thunderstorms. Bahadur Mehla, a farmer from Baldi village, said, "In several areas, the st...