Patiala/Sangrur, April 2 -- Already reeling from crop damage caused by recent hailstorms, Punjab farmers are staring at more losses as a fresh western disturbance is set to impact the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued an orange alert for April 3 and 4, warning of rain, thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and hailstorms across Punjab. The alert comes at a crucial juncture, with wheat crop ready for harvest and government procurement operations already underway in several grain markets. According to the IMD, the prevailing weather conditions are being driven by two active western disturbances currently affecting the region, with a fresh system likely to influence northwest India from April 2, intensifying the ongoing spell of unseasonal weather. Officials said the wet spell is expected to persist till April 10, with intermittent breaks. "After the April 3-6 spell, another round of rain and storms is likely to affect the state from April 8 onwards," a Met official said, cautioning that repeated spells could lead to cumulative damage to standing crops. Farmers have only April 1 and 2 as safer days to harvest mature wheat, failing which successive spells of rain, wind, and hail could worsen crop losses, said officials. Over the past 24 hours, several parts of Punjab have already witnessed unseasonal rain and hail, flattening standing wheat in many areas. The fresh spell, starting from April 2, is expected to bring widespread rainfall and isolated hailstorms, increasing the risk of lodging and moisture damage, which can adversely affect both yield and grain quality. Agriculture experts warn that such weather conditions during the maturity stage can lead to shrivelling of grains and discoloration, reducing market value and procurement grades. Farmer organisations have urged the state government to conduct immediate "girdawari" (crop damage assessment) and announce adequate compensation for the affected growers. Devinder Singh, a farmer from Duggan village in Sangrur who manages 15 acres, said that 15% of his crop has been flattened. "The fallen crops are now mixed with soil, which will inevitably cause damage," he said. Darshan Singh, a farmer from Barnala, described the situation as "deeply distressing", urging the state government to provide immediate compensation to protect rural livelihoods. Director agriculture Gurjit Singh Brar said that rain has caused lodging - the flattening of standing crops - in patches across the state. While hailstorms were recorded in Muktsar, Malout and Bathinda, no other districts have reported hail damage thus far. Brar added that while a bumper crop is still expected this year, it remains contingent on the weather stabilising. Surender Paul, director of the meteorological department, said conditions will remain unsettled for the next eight days. "Intermittent thunderstorm activity is expected across the region. Specifically, from April 3-4 and April 7-9, parts of Punjab and Haryana are likely to experience rain," Paul said, adding that northwestern and southeastern Punjab are most at risk. He advised farmers to remain cautious and plan harvests accordingly....