Punjab Farmers Struggle as Floods Disrupt Crop Seasons

Quick Summary

• punjab Flood Impact: Severe floods have affected approximately 2,000 villages in Punjab due to heavy rains and river breaches. Over 4 lakh people have been impacted, with crops on 1.72 lakh hectares damaged across 18 districts.
• Human Toll: 46 deaths reported as of September 6; significant damage to infrastructure and farmland.
• Worst-hit areas: Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Mansa, ferozepur, and Fazilka are among the most affected districts.
• Farmer Losses:

– Paddy crops submerged under water for days; recovery deemed unlikely.
– Wheat sowing prospects for winter season delayed or uncertain due to the prolonged flooding.
– Farmers unable to plant vegetables post rice harvesting, adding to financial strain.

• Farmers’ Pleas:

– Compensation demands of at least ₹70,000 per acre for damaged paddy crops by farmer groups like Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Dakonda).
– Appeals for complete loan waivers as agricultural livelihoods face compounded hardships from flood damage.

• Political Calls for Action:

– The SKM has urged the government to declare floods across northern India (Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K) a “national disaster.”
– Local political leaders demand special financial relief packages from both State and Union governments.

The Hindu.