The deficient monsoon has reduced soil moisture and water availability, delaying wheat sowing and potentially threatening yields. Punjab and Rajasthan, key wheat-producing states, face significant irrigation challenges due to below-normal reservoir storage. Vulnerable rainfed areas in central India may struggle to compensate for the lack of monsoon moisture, which could impact national wheat production targets. Other rabi crops, including rice, pulses, and oilseeds, have also seen reduced acreage compared to last year.