Even as farmers in Hisar district continue to recover from losses suffered during the kharif season due to heavy rainfall in July-August, around 8,000 acres of agricultural land across 67 villages remain waterlogged, rendering them uncultivable for the ongoing rabi season.

Villages where fields remain waterlogged (in acres)

Niyana — 550

Mirzapur — 500

Raipur — 500

Gurana — 400

Dhansu — 400

Data — 300

Dhirnawas — 225

Hansi — 220

Dhana — 220

Sinhwa Ragho — 200

Bithmara — 200

Litani — 200

Bhagana — 200

Kharar — 200

Badhawar — 200

Alipur — 200

Kaimri — 200

Sources said rainwater could not be drained from these low-lying fields despite efforts by the district administration, as the area had received heavy flooding. The same fields had also suffered extensive crop damage during the kharif season.

The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has conducted a survey and compiled a report identifying areas where sowing could not be undertaken due to waterlogging. Farmers in the affected villages are now hoping for compensation for the loss of crops and missed sowing.

Following the July-August rains and breaches in several canals and drains, flood-like conditions had prevailed in Hisar and neighbouring districts. Farmers from 271 villages uploaded claims of crop damage due to waterlogging on about 4.71 lakh acres on the compensation portal.

Subsequently, the state government conducted field verification through patwaris of the Revenue Department. However, after scrutiny, only 63,063 acres in Hisar district were found eligible for compensation, while claims for the remaining areas were rejected.

Farmers’ leader Anil Gorchi blamed delays by the Irrigation Department for the continuing crisis. “The Irrigation Department had fixed September 30 as the deadline for draining excess water, but failed to complete the work within the stipulated time. Farmers had to bear the consequences of this delay,” he said.

Gorchi added that farmers whose fields could not be sown due to waterlogging were facing a double blow. “Since sowing was not done, they will also not be able to avail crop insurance, resulting in a double financial setback,” he said.

Officials of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, however, said late sowing of wheat was still underway in the district and farmers could opt for late varieties of wheat and other rabi crops where conditions permitted.

Deputy Director of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Dr Rajbir Singh said waterlogging persisted in several villages, particularly in areas with a high groundwater table. “The department has prepared an estimated report of areas where sowing could not be carried out due to waterlogging,” he said.