Chandigarh, April 6: A special girdawari has been ordered across Punjab to document the agricultural losses resulting from a week of intense rain and hailstorms. The order follows reports from across the state indicating that high-velocity winds have flattened wheat fields, just as the harvesting season was set to begin. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that he has issued clear instructions for a swift assessment to ensure timely financial relief for those affected.
The south Malwa and Majha belts appear to be the hardest hit by the uncommon weather phenomenon. In villages across Muktsar and Bathinda, the lodging of crops has raised serious concerns regarding grain quality. Farmers asserted that the flattened wheat is not only difficult to harvest but is also highly susceptible to black point and other fungal diseases. One grower declared that the sudden weather shift has put months of labor at risk right before the grain could reach the markets.
Market experts noted that the moisture brought by the unseasonal showers will inevitably push back the peak procurement period. While the government officially opened mandis at the start of the month, the harvest is now predicted to be delayed by at least fourteen days. Officials stated that the delay is necessary to allow the moisture levels in the wheat to drop to acceptable procurement standards.
The Punjab government maintained that the special girdawari will be comprehensive, covering all affected regions including Fazilka, Amritsar, and Tarn Taran. The administration declared its intent to stand by the farming sector, with the Chief Minister affirming that every loss will be accounted for in the final compensation package. The move is seen as a necessary step to stabilize the rural economy following the unexpected climatic disruption.
