Punjab rains damage standing crops, submerge paddy in Mandis; Farmers face major losses
Babushahi Network
Chandigarh, October 11, 2026: Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds in several parts of Punjab on Sunday damaged standing crops and inundated paddy stocks in grain markets, raising concerns over farmers’ losses and exposing gaps in drainage and crop-protection arrangements.
Reports from Fatehgarh Churian, Fazilka and Rajpura indicated damage to crops in fields and problems in mandis, where harvested paddy was left exposed to rainwater. Farmers, commission agents and other stakeholders expressed concern over the lack of adequate arrangements to protect the produce.
In the Fatehgarh Churian area, strong winds and rainfall reportedly flattened mature paddy crops, while sugarcane and fodder crops were also affected. Newly sown vegetable crops suffered damage as well.
Farmers said the untimely rainfall had come just as the paddy crop was approaching the harvesting stage, raising fears of further losses if adverse weather continued.
Paddy submerged in Fazilka mandi
The situation was particularly concerning at the grain market in Fazilka, where rainwater accumulated due to inadequate drainage, according to reports from the market.
Paddy heaps were submerged in water, while some produce reportedly spilled onto market roads after water flowed through the premises. Paddy kept in some tractor-trolleys was also affected.
Goldy Sachdeva, president of the Arhtiya Association, said inadequate arrangements had resulted in substantial losses to agricultural produce. He warned that farmers, commission agents and rice millers could face significant financial setbacks.
The extent of the damage, however, remains to be established through an official assessment.
Farmers struggle to protect paddy in Rajpura
In Rajpura’s grain market, farmers bringing paddy for procurement also faced difficulties as rain soaked produce lying in the open.
Farmer Sher Jung and others said adequate tarpaulins were not available to cover the crop and alleged that sufficient labour had not been arranged to protect the paddy from the sudden downpour.
Farmers were seen trying to cover their produce themselves as paddy heaps and bags remained exposed to the rain.
Questions over procurement preparations
The damage has raised questions about drainage facilities, the availability of tarpaulins and preparedness in grain markets during the ongoing paddy procurement season.
While heavy rainfall and strong winds can cause crop damage in fields, adequate drainage and timely covering of harvested produce are essential to limit losses in mandis.
Farmers have been seeking measures to protect their produce and assess losses caused by the rainfall. The immediate priority is to drain accumulated water from affected markets and safeguard paddy stocks from further exposure.
The extent of damage to standing crops and harvested paddy will become clearer after field inspections and an official assessment. Farmers are also looking to the state government and the Mandi Board for immediate remedial measures and appropriate relief wherever losses are established.