India, April 1 -- Unseasonal rainfall and scattered hailstorms across Punjab have sparked concern among farmers as the wheat crop enters its final stage of maturity. Growers in Sangrur and Barnala fear the sudden weather shift will cause crop loss and degraded grain quality.

Devinder Singh, a farmer from Duggan village in Sangrur who manages 15 acres, said on Wednesday that 15% of his crop has been flattened. "The fallen crops are now mixed with soil, which will inevitably cause damage," he said. Darshan Singh, a farmer from Barnala, described the situation as "deeply distressing," urging the state government to provide immediate compensation to protect rural livelihoods.

Gurjit Singh Brar, director of agriculture and farmers' welfare, ...