Paddy, poplar trees on 60 acres destroyed at Sasrali village

About 15-20 farmers at Sasrali village, Machhiwara, have suffered huge losses after water from the Sutlej entered their fields following continuous rains. Standing paddy and poplar trees on nearly 60 acres were completely destroyed as the river’s water level rose and inundated the farmlands.

A team of district officials, including Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, SDM (East), patwaris and the tehsildar, visited the village to take stock of the situation. Cabinet minister Hardeep Singh Mundian also met the affected farmers and assured them of compensation.

Sarpanch Karam Singh said, “The Sutlej overflowed into our fields two days ago. Farmers have been cultivating here for years, but this time the water inflow damaged both paddy and poplar trees. The government must provide compensation, otherwise farmers will be ruined.”

The administration has begun mapping the damaged fields to prepare estimates for relief. DC Himanshu Jain told The Tribune that while teams were assessing crop losses, farmers would also be compensated for poplar trees. “These trees can be used to strengthen bandhs against floods,” he said.

Mundian, who reviewed the situation at Sasrali Colony on Thursday, confirmed that the water level had now receded and the situation was under control. He said a special girdawari would be conducted to assess losses as soon as the floodwaters recede. “The government is committed to compensating every farmer. I pray for normalcy to return quickly across Punjab,” he added.

The DC has directed the Irrigation Department to strengthen the dhussi bandh immediately using stone studs and sandbags, along with other preventive measures. He also appealed to residents not to believe in rumours, assuring that the administration was fully alert.

To streamline relief operations, all SDMs in Ludhiana have been told to remain on the ground for real-time monitoring. Flood control rooms have been activated at the district and subdivision levels. The DAC control room can be contacted at 0161-2433100, while subdivision control room numbers are: Ludhiana East (0161-2922330), Ludhiana West (0161-2412555), Jagraon (01624-223256), Khanna (01628-226091), Samrala (01628-262354), Payal (01628-276892), Raikot (01624-264350), and MC Ludhiana (0161-2749120).