Farmers urge admn to check water inflow from outer areas, protect crops

Farmers of this region have urged the administration to protect their crops from potential risk of inflow of floodwater from other areas located on the north eastern sides.

Paddy and fodder crops in fields situated in this region of Malwa falling under the Ludhiana and Malerkotla districts are relatively less affected due to ongoing floods and incessant rains. Farmers apprehend that their fields could get affected if water stagnating in the low lying localities of other regions is diverted to drains passing through this region.

They have urged the administration to exploit more expeditious modes of clearing blocked drains and ponds instead of manual cleaning by MGNREGA workers.

Farmers have also demanded prompt assessment of losses in some fields and immediate payment of compensation so that those affected could plan cultivation of next crops to minimise their net losses.

Baldev Singh Latala, state leader, All India Kisan Sabha, said, “Though no major loss of paddy has been reported from this region, the ripened crop might flatten in case surplus water from other regions is released into drains and tributaries passing through our area.”

He urged the local administration to remain vigilant over the authorities in the neighbouring areas, who might get rid of their problems by diverting stagnant water into channels, passing through relatively safer areas in this region.

Appreciating spontaneous decisions of the elected representatives and government personnel in the rural and urban local bodies to rationalise collection of rainwater in ponds and drains, farmers stressed on the need for more speedy methods to clean water bodies and repair river banks.

Though consolidated data on damages and losses for the areas falling under the Ludhiana district are not available, perusal of records in Malerkotla district offices revealed that losses were minimal in this district of the state.

With cumulative rainfall of 539.4 mm, total crop area affected in Malerkotla district is reported to be less than five acres. One minor fire was reported during this period in which four katcha and one pucca house was damaged due to heavy rains.

ADC Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu claimed that all drains passing through the region were being reviewed constantly. Adequate equipment and operators had been deployed to handle any adverse situation, he said.