Over 22,000 acres flooded in Muktsar

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, July 20

A large number of farmers, belonging to 58 villages of Muktsar district, would be unable to reap any crop this season as rainwater has inundated fields in 22,862 acres. As per an estimate prepared by the Agriculture Department, 18,951 acres under paddy crop and 3,951 acres under cotton crop are presently waterlogged.

Further, the farmers said by the time their fields would be de-watered, they would not be left with time to sow the crop again.

Meanwhile, Gurpreet Singh, Agriculture Officer, Muktsar, said “If the paddy fields remain waterlogged for three-four days, then the crop gets devastated. Presently, rainwater is draining out fast from the fields and if the fields are de-watered in the next few days, farmers will be able to sow basmati crop again. The basmati sowing season will last till the end of this month.”

He further said the area under cotton crop was not much affected as cotton growers had not planted the crop in low-lying areas. As per the report, 30 villages were affected in Muktsar sub-division, 26 in Gidderbaha and two in Malout.

Meanwhile, DC MK Aravind Kumar and Gidderbaha MLA Amrinder Singh ‘Raja’ Warring visited Doda village on Saturday to inspect the ongoing de-watering work, ordered to clear the village pond.

Water Resources Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria on Saturday visited area along the Sutlej and Beas and several drains in Amritsar, Ferozepur, Moga, Faridkot, Muktsar and Bathinda to assess the situation arising due to rain in the state. He instructed the authorities concerned to make all necessary arrangements to tackle the flood-like situation.

Govt orders girdawari 

Chandigarh: To assess the damage due to incessant rains in the state, Revenue Minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar has issued orders to conduct girdawari for the same. An official said the minister had authorised the deputy commissioners concerned to carry out the survey. The DCs, in case of any need to tackle situation arising out of flooding, could approach the Financial Commissioner for assistance. TNS