Girdawari sought in Tarn Taran

Strong winds followed by heavy rain last night caused great loss to the crops, especially certain varieties of basmati like PR 1121 and 1718. The paddy crop has been less affected than the basmati varieties. Trees too were seen fallen by the roadside at certain places which caused traffic disturbance. Normal power supply too was affected in the district which disturbed the routine of the people.

Harpreet Singh, senior XEN of the local city division of Powercom, said though major defects have been removed and the supply restored, in Chabal and in Sarai Amanat Khan area, supply from two transformers is yet to be restored. Work in this regard is on, added Harpreet Singh.

Harpal Singh Pannu, Chief Agriculture Officer, said that high velocity winds and heavy rainfall caused damage to late varieties of basmati in 11,000 hectares (27,500 acres of land) in the district. Pannu said that the officials of the department were collecting details of the loss.

The rain has affected the whole of the district including the border areas of Khemkaran, Valtoha, Khalra and Sarai Amanat Khan villages besides Chohla Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, Chabal and other parts. He said that the crop may have been affected by discolouring which is not acceptable in the market.

Farmer Sukhwinder Singh, a resident of Rattoke village in the border area, said that the basmati crop that was damaged by the strong wind and rain was ready to be harvested in the next few days. He said that the affected basmati crop has been flattened and it is not possible to harvest it with the help of combine harvesters. Farmer Tajinderpal Singh, a resident of Rasulpur village, said that the loss has broken the backbone of the farmers economically. Nachhatar Singh, a resident of Mughal Chack Pannuan, said that in their village, basmati crop in 250 of the total 800 acres has been totally damaged. He demanded that the state government conduct a special girdawari on the loss of crops.