Cyclone Arnab Triggers Flooding, Damages Paddy Crop In UP, Bihar

Cyclone Arnab brought heavy rains, strong winds and flooding to several Indian states over the weekend. But for the key rice-producing states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, it also meant losses to the paddy crop.

Crops in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have already been hit by irregular and deficient rainfall during this monsoon season. Now, as the crop reached maturity, heavy rainfall between September 25 and September 28 has caused flooding in paddy fields, while accompanying strong winds flattened standing crops in several districts.

According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), around half of Uttar Pradesh's districts recorded a shortage of rainfall during at least 13 of the 16 weeks since the first week of June. For much of July, when paddy transplantation takes place, most districts of the state recorded a rainfall deficit of 20-99 per cent.

#Datafy | Deficit to deluge: Uttar Pradesh paddy hit twice

Weeks of deficient monsoon rain stressed paddy growth before late-September downpours inundated mature standing crops pic.twitter.com/6WMaPw1vPK

— NDTV (@ndtv) September 29, 2026

Most districts of Uttar Pradesh also reported a severe shortage of rainfall between September 9 and September 23. During this period, the paddy crop was at the critical stage of flowering and grain formation, when it needed adequate water.

But it rained so heavily that fields were flooded and standing crops were damaged. IMD data shows that many paddy-producing districts received rainfall several times above the normal level. At least 26 of UP's 75 districts received more than times the normal rainfall between September 25 and September 28.

"In many areas, the crops have fallen or gone under the floodwaters, which would lead to damage to the straw, degradation of the grain quality, and infections which will negatively affect the yield," says Dr Daya S Srivastava, a senior agriculture scientist in Sitapur.

Waterlogging in fields may also delay the paddy harvest and subsequently push back rabi sowing, Srivastava told NDTV.

More Losses For Bihar

Bihar was already in the process of assessing damage caused by rainfall shortages as well as flooding from overflowing rivers.

As per the IMD, at least 31 of Bihar's 38 districts recorded deficient rainfall between June 1 and September 23, 2026, meaning crops in many districts were already under stress. During Cyclone Arnab, at least four districts received nearly four times the normal rainfall. Flooding and crop damage were reported from some of these districts.

Rain Shortage In Telangana And Andhra Pradesh

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the second and fifth-largest rice producers in India respectively, are also grappling with rainfall shortages. Nearly 50 per cent of districts in both states have been marked as rain deficient.

At least 12 of Telangana's 33 districts have reported a rainfall shortage of at least 25 per cent. Nalgonda, Nirmal, Jogulamba Gadwal and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts are particularly affected, as per the IMD.

In Andhra Pradesh, 13 of the 26 districts are categorised as rain deficient.

According to the India Drought Monitor of IIT-Gandhinagar, more than half of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was under dry or drought conditions as of September 23.

A strengthening El Nino and the rainfall deficit have raised concerns about agriculture, water availability and India's winter crop prospects. More than 40 per cent of India has been categorised as rain deficient by the IMD.