Harike Head Gate opening floods wheat fields in Tarn Taran, farmers fear fresh losses
Baljit Singh
Patti (Tarn Taran), January 21, 2026: The opening of three gates at Harike Head by the district administration has led to a sudden rise in water levels in low-lying areas of the Patti Assembly constituency in Tarn Taran district, resulting in floodwater entering standing wheat crops and triggering fresh concerns among farmers over possible crop damage.
Farmers cultivating land along the river belt said their fields were inundated soon after the gates were opened, despite there being no recent rainfall and no release of water from upstream dams. The unexpected rise in water levels has once again put their crops and livelihoods at risk.
Speaking on the issue, Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, State President of the Flood Victim Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, along with other farmer leaders, recalled that the Patti region had already suffered severe losses due to floods during heavy rains in 2025.
They alleged that although there has been no rainfall in recent days, the administration’s decision to open three gates at Harike Head has caused water to flow into agricultural fields in the low-lying areas.
Farmer leaders warned that apart from damaging the standing wheat crop, the flooding could once again deposit sand over fertile farmland, leading to long-term losses.
They pointed out that many farmers are already under heavy debt and are still struggling to remove sand from their fields following last year’s floods. Farmers have reportedly been protesting for the past 19 days, seeking compensation for previous losses, but many of their demands remain unaddressed.
With crops facing renewed threats, farmer unions have urged the government and the administration to immediately close the gates at Harike Head to prevent further damage. They cautioned that continued water release could result in substantial financial losses for farmers who are already under severe economic stress.