February 11, 2009

Hailstorms may damage crops in India's key wheat producing regions, threatening crop prospects, the weather bureau said.

Hailstorms are likely to visit northwestern states, including Punjab and Haryana, the largest wheat growing states, said the India Meteorological Department.

The adverse weather may hurt India's chances of harvesting a record wheat crop for a second year and resume exports. Production may exceed last year's 78.4 million tonnes, said the farm ministry.

The extent of damage to wheat will depend on the severity of the hailstorm, according to RP Samui, head of agricultural meteorology at the weather bureau.

Hot weather in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in the past two weeks may also reduce yield, said MK Dattaraj, president of Roller Flour Millers Federation of India.

Wheat output may total 77 million tonnes, less than the 78.5 million target set by the farm ministry, Dattaraj said.

The wheat crop will be harvested in March and April.