Bhiwani, Jan 6: Hundreds of farmers in Jatu Lohari village of Bhiwani district continue to struggle as rainwater remains trapped in nearly 2,000 acres of agricultural land, even five months after the monsoon, disrupting two cropping seasons.
Farmers said prolonged waterlogging destroyed the cotton crop during the kharif season and made rabi cultivation impossible, pushing many families into financial uncertainty.
“When the rains came, our cotton crop was ruined. Now the fields are still inaccessible, and rabi sowing cannot be done,” said Mahipal, a farmer. “The cotton plants are still standing because we never got the chance to harvest.”
According to villagers, water levels of up to one to two feet persist across large tracts of farmland, and no proper drainage has been arranged despite repeated complaints to authorities.
“We were told the water would be drained and compensation would be provided, but nothing has happened so far,” said Vinod Tanwar. “It is becoming difficult to manage household expenses.”
Farmers said they had registered their losses on the government compensation portal soon after the damage occurred, following official assurances of relief. However, they claim that neither compensation nor crop insurance payments have been released.
“This calamity has affected insured and uninsured farmers alike,” said Jitender Tanwar. “Five months later, we are still waiting for compensation and insurance claims.”
With the water only beginning to recede naturally, farmers said access to their land would remain restricted until the fields fully dry.
They have now demanded immediate drainage of stagnant water and completion of girdawari to assess losses and provide relief.
Bhiwani SDM said that a committee had been formed under the directions of the Deputy Commissioner to address the issue. “Steps are being taken to ensure drainage at the earliest,” the official said.
