Farmers in Punjab are experiencing heightened anxiety due to erratic weather patterns marked by sporadic rains and hailstorms over the past few days. Many have rushed to harvest their wheat crops, concerned about potential losses from flattening, especially with the girdawri process, announced by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann last week, yet to commence. This situation has stirred memories of last year’s catastrophic floods, intensifying the farmers’ apprehensions.
On April 2, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) office in Chandigarh issued a forecast predicting above-normal rainfall for April across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and neighboring regions. The outlook suggests light to moderate rainfall at frequent intervals, which could provide some relief from the heat but may also adversely affect both standing crops and harvesting efforts. For farmers in Punjab and Haryana, this unpredictable weather presents a mix of possibilities and challenges. While the intermittent rains could enhance soil moisture, experts warn that untimely showers and strong winds might hinder wheat harvesting during this critical period.
Jatinder Singh, a farmer from Dharamheri village in the Patiala district, shared that he hastily harvested approximately 10 acres of wheat on Sunday due to concerns over weather instability. “Given the unpredictable conditions, I felt compelled to harvest my crop early. Last year’s floods had already devastated my previous paddy crop, which heightened my anxiety,” he explained. Currently, his harvested crop is covered with tarpaulin sheets in a nearby mandi, protected by a family member. Jatinder expressed hopes for a successful sale, wishing for no further rain and lamenting the inadequate facilities at the mandis.
He noted that while some farmers managed to harvest quickly, others were forced to pause midway due to the weather. “After our paddy crop was damaged in September, we had fields ready for early wheat sowing, which is why our crop was ready for harvest now,” he added.
Conversely, Manjit Singh Niyal from Niyal village reported that his wheat crop has already suffered flattening. “My crop is down. I hope the rain holds off on Tuesday so I can begin harvesting by the weekend. However, heavy rain could ruin my efforts, and I expect a decline in yield,” he remarked.
Farmers in border regions are similarly anxious. Darshan Singh Giddranwali from Giddranwali village in Fazilka district voiced his concerns, stating, “My cotton crop was ruined in last year’s floods, and now this rain and hail are worrisome. We are still waiting for girdawri to commence.”
Sukhjinder Singh Rajan from Abohar expressed the difficulty in assessing damages amid the ongoing rainfall and hail. “It has rained intermittently for the last few days, and we experienced hail on Monday. We won’t know the extent of our losses until the weather improves,” he noted.
Sandeep Jakhar, a suspended Congress MLA from Abohar, mentioned that efforts are underway to compile damage reports. “We are documenting the affected farmers and will share this information with officials to expedite the girdawri process. This situation is particularly hard for many who have already faced the challenges of last September’s floods,” he stated.
Mahinder Singh Bhola from Thuliwal village in Barnala district expressed his hope for better weather to proceed with harvesting. “The crop is almost ready, but the wind and rain have caused it to flatten,” he said.
Leaders from farmer unions have also highlighted the extensive damage. Nirmal Singh of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee reported that several villages in Muktsar, including Kattianwali, Gandhar, Bhagsar, Bodiwala, Raniwala, and Aspal, have experienced damage due to hail and rain. “Farmers are eagerly awaiting the promised girdawri,” he added.
At a recent rally in Fazilka, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced the initiation of girdawri. However, farmers are urging that this process be expedited. “If girdawri is not completed soon, many farmers will clear their fields to either sell whatever yield remains or to collect wheat straw. Once the harvest is complete, farmers may not receive any compensation, so we urge authorities to start girdawri as soon as possible,” Rajan emphasized.
Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has appealed to Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to dispatch a central team to evaluate the damage. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal also raised concerns regarding significant crop destruction. Speaking at a rally in Budhlada, he stated, “We are formulating a plan to provide wheat and both green and dry fodder to affected farmers,” with details to be finalized in a meeting with party leaders in Chandigarh. It is worth noting that from April 1 to April 6, Punjab recorded 27.6 mm of rain, slightly above the normal of 25.5 mm according to IMD data. In Fazilka, rainfall reached 46.1 mm, significantly higher than the expected 17.4 mm, while Barnala saw 28 mm compared to a standard of 13.6 mm for this season. Furthermore, the IMD forecasts that gusty winds at speeds of 50-60 km/h, thunderstorms, hail, and rain are anticipated in isolated areas of Punjab on Tuesday.
