Rains damage cotton crop in 10,000 acres in Punjab

Rains damage cotton crop in 10,000 acres in Punjab
VIKAS KAHOL

JULY 24: Cotton cultivated on more than 10,000 acres has been devastated during the recent heavy rains that lashed Talwandi Sabo and Mour areas of Bathinda district. More losses are expected as 10 villages in the area still remain inundated.

The rain this year was the heaviest in the past two decades, farmers said, adding that it washed away their expectations of a bumper crop. Rajwinder Singh, a farmer from Sandoha village, said cotton plants in his three-acre plot were decaying due to water-logging.

``Throughout the night of July 16, we attempted to channelise the rain water towards the low-lying fields to save rest of the crop from inundation. Nothing helped,'' sighed Rajwinder Singh. Singh added that about 800 acres were affected due to the rain in his village.

Heavy loss of crop was visible in Shekhpura, Burj-Mansa, Tahla Sahib, Natt and Pucca Kalan villages. Cotton crop in about 2,000 acres in Tahla Sahib village is reported to have been ruined. Approximately 1,500 acres in Burj Mansa and 900 acres in Natt village have been affected.

Furious farmers alleged that the administration was yet to come to their rescue. ``Badal had flown to Chugga Khurd village after the fields were inundated due to a breach in the canal. But here, a larger area is affected and no relief has been extended,'' alleged a farmer.

The villagers apprehend tougher times, as they see a severe economic crisis ahead. Pargat Singh, a farmer from Tahla-Sahib, said many farmers would reel under debts. He too would face the same fate, he said.

``I got a Rs 40,000 loan from a bank to cultivate my nine-acre plot. However, I will not be able to repay the debt as the crop is ruined,'' he said.

Hardev Singh of Sandoha village said he had spent a handsome amount on fertilisers and pesticides. ``Everything has been washed away,'' he said.

Harminder Singh Jassi, Congress MLA from Talwandi Sabo, said he had written to the Chief Minister for relief and expressed the hope that the CM would not be partial in redressing the problems in his constituency.

He said he had requested the DC to carry out an assessment of the loss and demanded a relief of Rs 25,000 per acre.

Reached for comment, Bathinda DC Jaspal Singh said the administration was aware of the damage to the cotton crop in the area and that he had visited Talwandi Sabo and ordered the SDM to inform him of the estimated loss within two days.