Water enters fields, farmers worried

Tarn Taran, January 13

Rain accompanied by high-velocity winds on Monday lashed the region. Weather forecast has left farmers worried.

However, officials of the Agriculture Department denied possibility of damage to crops due to today’s rain.

Satnam Singh, a farmer of Manochahal Kalan, said: “The rainwater has entered fields where wheat, fodder, vegetables and other crops have been sown. It will damage the crops.”

Sukhwinder Singh, Kulwant Singh, Charan Singh and other farmers of Sabhra village said the rain had delayed digging of potato and carrot harvest for more than 10 days, which will result in a net loss to farmers.

Harinderjit Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), said: “The department has recorded 12 mm of rain, which is not harmful for crops.”

Bobby, owner of a sugarcane stall, said due to daylong rain there were a few takers for the juice.

“I purchased seven quintals of sugarcane but was able to sell half of the product. The same was the fate of other shopkeepers of the district,” Bobby said. — OC