Farmers Demand Compensation After Heavy Rainfall Damage Their Standing Crops

Thousands of acres of standing crop and vegetables in northern Haryana have been flooded as a result of heavy to very heavy rainfall during the last four days. Waterlogging was reported across the state, particularly in the Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Ambala, Karnal, Kaithal, and Sonepat districts, as per reports.

Rain and high-velocity winds, according to farmers, have flattened mustard crop and waterlogging is hazardous to vegetables especially potato, cauliflower and peas. 

There have been no reports of major wheat losses, according to agricultural department officials, but waterlogging is hazardous to all crops including wheat. 

"For the past three days, around 500 acres of standing crop in three villages of Sadhaura block of Yamunanagar district have been under two feet water but the government did not send any official to assess the loss to the crops," said a farmer in Yamunanagar's Chappar village. 

As per reports of damage to crops collected by the office of Pradeep Meel, deputy director agriculture of Kurukshetra district, 50-100 percent losses were reported in 2,000 hectares of wheat, 2,500 hectares of mustard and 100 hectares of pulses in the district.

The reports of loss to vegetables are being assessed by officials of the revenue and horticulture departments. 

Rain has also affected around 10-20 percent of the mustard crop in the area, according to authorities from the Karnal agricultural department, while high-velocity winds have flattened the crop. Revenue department officials will examine the crop loss, according to Karnal deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav. 

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) has written to Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Haryana agriculture minister JP Dalal for a special girdawari to assess loss to all crops and vegetables and immediate compensation to farmers. 

"Rainfall over the past four days has resulted in massive crop losses, particularly mustard, potato, and cauliflower with thousands of acres still under water," said Karam Singh Mathana, BKU's working president (Charuni). 

"A girdawari is ordered by the revenue department," said Dr Sumita Misra, additional chief secretary of Haryana agriculture and farmers' welfare. In addition, the Agriculture Department conducted its own survey. The deputy commissioners have been directed to send survey report and directions have been issued to officials of the agriculture department to remain in touch with farmers.”