Paddy crop flattened on 25,000 hectares

High velocity winds coupled with heavy rain have caused widespread damage to parmal and basmati varieties of paddy in the border districts of Amritsar and Tarn Taran. While the Agriculture Department is still assessing the damage, initial estimates suggest that crop on nearly 25,000 hectares has been affected.

In many areas of Amritsar district, the crop has been completely flattened. Apart from a loss of yield, the farmers fear discolouration of the grains too. A largescale damage to crop has been reported in Ajnala, Majitha, Jandiala, Attari and Manawala areas in the district.

In Tarn Taran, crop has been affected in Khemkaran, Valtoha, Chohla Sahib, Khadoor Sahib and many other areas. Tarn Taran Chief Agriculture Officer Harpal Singh Pannu said, “Crop on nearly 11,000 hectares in the district has been affected.”

Farmer leader Rattan Singh Randhawa said, “A special girdawri should be conducted to assess the loss.” He demanded that government should come to the rescue of farmers who have suffered losses.