VIKRAM DITYA SHARMA
(MOREPIC1) Ferozepur: More than four dozen villages situated along the Sutlej have been affected due to heavy discharge of water in Sutlej following which approx. 13000 acre agricultural land has been reportedly inundated.
As per information, several villages including Kaluwala, Hajara Singh Wala, Gatti Rajo ke, Bhakhra, Jallo ke, Tendi Wala, Bhane Wala, Gundar Gatti, Dona Mathar, Gatti Rahime ke, Chandiwala, Chugge Mehtab Singh Wala, Katora, Ruknewala, Nihala Lavera, Bandala, Kale Ke, Jallo ke, Dhira Kalan have been inundated for the last three days due to which the standing crops in these villages have been destroyed.
As per information, most of the farmers belonging to these villages had sowed paddy in their fields which is now completely destroyed. Sona Singh, a resident of Village Hajara Singh Wala said that he has four acres of land in which he had sowed paddy. “My entire crop has been destroyed. I had invested an amount of Rs. 1.20 lakh which is lost now. Besides, the green fodder had also been destroyed”, said Sona Singh.
Major Singh of Village Katora said that his 60 acre land in which he had sowed paddy, is completely submerged. “our entire hardwork is washed away in blink of eyes. People are comparing these floods with 1988, but I feel this time the level of the water is much higher due to which thousands of farmers have suffered”, said Major Singh. (SUBHEAD)
Jagir Singh Sarpanch of Village Tendi Wala said that he has fifteen acre land. “The only hope now we have is that the government will provide a relief package for us who have lost everything due to these floods. There is nothing more important to a farmer than his crops. The loss of crop is like losing a family member for me”, said Jagir Singh.
When contacted, Chief Agriculture Officer Rajinder Kamboj said that more than 13000 acre land has been affected due to floods in this region. “The exact loss will be ascertained only after the “girdawaris”. Most of the farmers belonging to this belt opt for paddy while few farmers had sowed maize, moong, green fodder and vegetables like pumpkin, Zucchini and Taro Root (Arbi).
