Punjab receives 477% more rainfall than normal in 24 hours, damaging paddy and cotton crops
Bathinda: Unseasonal rains during the harvest season in Punjab have damaged paddy and cotton crops. The rains flooded several grain markets, soaking paddy heaps, and disrupting the government procurement process. Farmer organizations have demanded an assessment of crop losses and compensation.
According to Meteorological Department data, Punjab recorded 2.3 mm of rain in the last 24 hours until 8:30 am on Saturday, compared to the normal rainfall of 0.4 mm. This is 477% more than normal. Fazilka received the highest rainfall of 28 mm. Additionally, Faridkot recorded 9 mm, Muktsar 7.7 mm, and Bathinda 1.3 mm.
Waterlogging in markets, affecting paddy procurement
Following a three-hour storm in Fazilka on Sunday morning, the main grain market was flooded with nearly three feet of water. This caused the paddy stacks to be washed away. Goldy Sachdeva, president of the Fazilka Arhtiya Association, estimated the losses at around ₹15 crore.
Arhtiyas and farmers alleged that the lack of adequate drainage and storage facilities contributed to the increased losses. In protest, the Arhtiya Association blocked the Fazilka-Ferozepur National Highway. Rain also caused disruptions in markets in Malout, Mansa, Barnala, and Bathinda.
Balkar Singh, a farmer from Rattakheda village in Muktsar, said he had been waiting to sell his crop for the past eight days. The rain has increased moisture in the crop, which is likely to further delay the sale.
Heavy rain and storm alert in several districts
Punjab received 40% less rainfall than normal during the southwest monsoon. Despite this, the rain at harvest time has increased farmers' concerns. By October 10, only 12% of the paddy crop had been harvested.
The State Disaster Management Authority had issued a warning of thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds of up to 50-60 kilometers per hour, hailstorms, and moderate to heavy rain in several districts over the next 24 hours.
Demand for Damage Assessment and Compensation
According to Gurjeet Singh Brar, Director of the Punjab Agriculture Department, the department is gathering information on crop damage. He warned that waterlogging in fields and further rainfall could affect cotton quality.
Meanwhile, Harchand Singh Barsaat, Chairman of the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board, stated that adequate arrangements have been made for paddy procurement and that deficiencies in the arrangements will be addressed. He also clarified that there is no ban on storing crops in private yards.
Farmer organizations have demanded the government immediately conduct a survey, assess crop losses, and provide compensation to affected farmers.
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