National Desk
6 September
Journalist Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Monsoon Brings Destruction
This year’s monsoon has created havoc in many states of India. Continuous heavy rainfall led to waterlogging, floods, and widespread damage in both cities and villages. People, especially farmers, faced huge losses. In Jammu & Kashmir, days of heavy rain and cloudbursts caused major destruction, leaving many areas submerged.
Impact on Agriculture
The rains have badly affected Jammu & Kashmir’s agricultural economy. Reports suggest that thousands of hectares of farmland were flooded. Paddy fields and apple orchards suffered heavy damage, and many crops were completely destroyed. Around 25,850 hectares of land growing paddy, maize, millet, pulses, fodder, and vegetables were damaged. Out of this, over 19,441 hectares suffered losses of more than 33%.
Loss of Crops and Soil
Floodwaters not only damaged standing crops but also washed away fertile soil, reducing productivity for future seasons. The worst impact was on paddy and maize crops. In the region, about 85,864 hectares are used for monsoon crops. Of this, paddy was grown on 46,800 hectares, but nearly 11,500 hectares have been seriously affected by floods and heavy rain.
The Bigger Concern
Farmers now face economic hardship, with reduced yields and uncertain recovery. Experts warn that without quick support and soil restoration, the region’s agriculture will struggle to recover.