Rajasthan experienced a severe cold wave in the first week of January 2026, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Rajasthan Agriculture Department to issue a joint crop advisory for farmers across the state. Temperatures plummeted to 2-3°C in districts like Bikaner, Churu, and Sikar, raising serious concerns about frost damage to standing crops.
The crop advisory specifically warned farmers cultivating mustard (sarson), wheat (gehun), and gram (chana) — the three principal rabi crops of Rajasthan — to take immediate protective measures. Mustard is highly sensitive to frost during the flowering and pod-filling stages, while wheat and gram can suffer severe yield losses when temperatures drop below 4°C for extended periods.
Farmers were advised to irrigate their fields in the late evening or early morning hours to raise soil temperature and reduce the impact of frost. Light irrigation acts as an insulating layer, preventing direct frost contact with plant tissue. Agricultural experts also recommended the use of sulfur dust or potassium-based sprays to improve frost resistance.
Dense fog advisories were simultaneously issued across northern Rajasthan districts, affecting visibility and disrupting transportation of agricultural produce to mandis. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was put on standby to respond to any cold-wave-related emergencies, including relief operations in rural areas with inadequate shelter.
The Rajasthan government urged district collectors in the most affected districts — Bikaner, Churu, Sikar, Ganganagar, and Hanumangarh — to ensure availability of adequate fodder for livestock. Agricultural insurance helplines were activated to assist farmers in documenting crop damage for compensation claims under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).