Wheat harvesting in Ludhiana district, Punjab, India, is set to commence within a week, with the agriculture department estimating an output of around 12 lakh tonnes this season. Chief agriculture officer Gurdeep Singh stated that the crop is nearly ripe and should be ready for harvest around Vaisakhi, depending on weather conditions. Wheat has been sown across 2.38 lakh hectares in the district, although some areas remain slightly green. Preparations for procurement have been made in 108 mandis, with officials expecting about 75% of the produce to be delivered to these markets. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and gusty winds, which could threaten the crop's yield and quality. Singh noted that strong winds could cause lodging, where crops bend or flatten, and advised farmers against irrigating their fields at this stage to mitigate risks.