Sultanpur Lodhi: Field water recedes, but worry persists for farmers

Just two days ago, flash floods had inundated several acres of agricultural land in some villages of Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala. It scared local farmers, many of whom feared a repeat of 2023 devastation that had destroyed their paddy crop.

However, officials from the Agriculture Department conducted a ground-level assessment and found that the water has begun to recede significantly across the most affected areas.

“The water levels have already gone down in many parts and if this trend continues, the paddy crop will survive,” said Jaspal Singh, Agriculture Development Officer. “There’s no need for panic at the moment. Everything is under control.”

"For the past two days, the water level has been receding. If the water drains out within the next few days, the paddy crop can be saved," the official further added.

Farmers, though initially distressed, are now cautiously optimistic. Sukhwinder Singh, a farmer from Jhuggiya Bandu village, shared his experience: “Two days ago, the water in fields was up to 3-4 feet in some areas. It was alarming. But it has reduced considerably. We are hopeful that everything will be fine.”

As per information, in Pasem Kadeem village, there was loss of fodder in some places.

The memory of last time's floods still haunts many in the region. In 2023, the deluge had destroyed several acres of standing crops, leaving many farmers in financial distress. This year, the farmers are praying for the rains to relent. "We know there is no worry for now, but things should remain under control in the coming days as well," one of the farmers said.

The local authorities have said they are monitoring the situation closely and will continue field visits to ensure timely action.