Muktsar farmers build 'bundhs' to save crops from waterlogging

Muktsar, July 16

After a large number of fields were inundated due to continuous rain on Friday, farmers have created “bundhs” to stop the natural flow of water to save their crops.

As a result, affected farmers damaged roads to release rainwater, which has reportedly led to law and order situation in the district. Drains were overflowing at some places as fields in Fazilka district also got waterlogged.

Vineet Kumar, DC, Muktsar, said, “We have installed water-lifting pumps. Drains are running at their full capacity. I appeal to farmers not to create any ‘bundh’. It is creating law and order issue and nothing else. In urban areas, rainwater is receding. I am monitoring the situation.”

Gurpreet Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Muktsar, said, “There is no official record related to the total area affected by rainwater. However, I think around 10,000 hectares are still waterlogged. Paddy fields can survive waterlogging for two-three days. Cotton crop can’t.” Farmers today blocked the Muktsar-Malout Road, demanding drainage of rainwater and compensation.