Jhelum surges, submerges thousands of hectares of Paddy fields in Kashmir
Srinagar, Sep 4: The rising waters of the river Jhelum and its tributaries have submerged paddy fields across South and Central Kashmir, leaving farmers in distress as standing crops fall victim to the floods.
With months of labour washed away, the local agrarian community fears significant economic loss and uncertain recovery.
In Zenpora, Pampore, Muhammad Ismail could barely contain his despair as he looked over his waterlogged four-month-old paddy crop. “I sowed these seeds with so much hope and spent countless days tending them. Now everything is underwater. The flood has destroyed not just my crop, but my livelihood and savings. We don’t know how we will recover from this,” he said, gesturing at the submerged fields.
Abdul Rashid from Rakh Shalen, Budgam, painted a similar picture of devastation. “Almost every paddy field in our area is underwater. Our families depend entirely on these crops. This isn’t just a loss of food; it’s a loss of income for the whole year. Relief is important, but we also need protection from recurring floods,” he said.
Shabir Ahmad, a farmer in Pampore, voiced frustration at the repeated destruction caused by the Jhelum. “Every year, floods ruin our crops. We invest in seeds, fertilisers, and labour, only to see it all vanish in hours. Government compensation is welcome, but it isn’t enough. We need proper embankments, early warning systems, and crop insurance to save our livelihoods,” he added.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, Director of Agriculture Kashmir, said that paddy crops across more than 3,000 hectares have been affected, with an estimated 33 percent loss. “The extent of damage qualifies farmers for compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) or the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) provisions. Authorities are assessing claims to ensure timely relief,” he said.
Ghulam Nabi, another farmer from Zenpora, expressed concern over the recurring pattern of flood-induced crop losses. “It is heartbreaking to see our hard work vanish in hours. We need permanent solutions, not just temporary relief. Embankments, better drainage, and flood management are crucial,” he said.
With the Kharif harvest season underway, the flood-induced devastation threatens both small and marginal farmers’ incomes and the region’s overall agricultural output. Residents urge the government to implement long-term flood mitigation measures to protect Kashmir’s agrarian economy.
