Jalandhar: Even after a year, memories of floods haunt Lohia’s farmers

Jalandhar: A year ago, the lives of the villagers living in Lohian were turned upside down when floods wreaked havoc. Thousands of acres of paddy crop were washed away due to a breach in the Dhussi dam. They have not yet fully recovered, but after a year, fear has again gripped their minds. Paddy sowing has begun in the villages, but farmers are worried about the possibility of floods coming again. If floods come, their lives will be ruined and they will not be able to bear the losses for the second consecutive year. Last year, crops were destroyed, houses were destroyed and fields were submerged, due to which farmers suffered huge losses. Some farmers could not even sow wheat and for the first time, spring maize was sown here. This was the condition of some farmers living in low-lying areas like Dhakkha Basti and Gatta Mundi Kasu of Lohian. Surprisingly, wheat could not be sown on about 100 acres of land. These farmers were not even able to prepare their fields for wheat, as sand and silt had accumulated. Farming seemed possible only two months ago. So the farmers sowed spring maize, that too with the help of an organisation called Khalsa Aid, which provides free seeds to farmers.

Farmer Sarabjeet Singh said that although paddy transplantation has started in some areas, the fear of floods also remains. He said, “What we are doing right now is only known to us. We do not know what will happen, because the government has not done anything yet.”

Worries about floods returning

Paddy sowing has started in the villages, but farmers are worried about floods returning. If this happens, their lives will be ruined and they will not be able to bear the losses for a second consecutive year.

Last year there was huge loss

Last year crops were destroyed, houses were devastated and fields were submerged, causing huge losses to the farmers. Some farmers were not even able to sow wheat and this was the first time that spring corn was sown here.