Waterlogging damages winter paddy across hundreds of hectares in Assam’s Kaliabor

Farmers in several areas of Assam’s Kaliabor are facing severe distress after heavy rainfall and prolonged waterlogging damaged winter paddy crops across hundreds of hectares of agricultural land.
 

Farmers in Balitika, Bagharchuk, Borbhakati and Madhatari said large stretches of farmland remained submerged even as water levels gradually receded.
 

In fields where the water has drained out, the transplanted winter paddy seedlings have started rotting after remaining submerged for five to six days. In several areas, the seedlings have been completely destroyed, leaving farmers with little hope of replanting their crops.
 

The crop loss has added to the difficulties of farming families who depend on the harvest for their food and livelihood through the year.
 

Farmers said the prolonged waterlogging has put their entire season’s crop at risk and left them facing significant financial losses.
 

They have urged the authorities to assess the extent of the crop damage and provide compensation and other assistance to affected farmers.