Flash floods devastate paddy, apple crops in south Kashmir

Srinagar: Flash floods triggered by incessant rains and cloudbursts have destroyed standing paddy and apple crops across thousands of acres in four districts of south Kashmir, leaving farmers facing losses that could run into hundreds of crores.

The Jhelum river swelled to dangerous levels late last month, breaching embankments and inundating vast stretches of farmland. In Anantnag and Pulwama, overflowing waters washed away rice fields that were nearly ready for harvest.

“We were preparing to harvest the paddy by the end of this month. The crop was abundant, but everything has been destroyed by floods. The entire year’s hard work has gone down the drain,” said Mohammad Younis, a farmer from Shamsipora in Anantnag.

According to locals, the worst-hit areas include Tachoo, Dooru, Shamsipora, Muniwar, Lallipora and Mallapora in Anantnag and Kulgam, and Kakapora and Newa in Pulwama. Some adjoining villages of Budgam have also suffered damage.

The horticulture sector too has been severely affected. Orchards in Dachnipora area of Anantnag were washed away, while apple trees in Sallar, Srigufwara, Kullar and other villages along the Lidder stream were damaged. New plantations in Pulwama’s low-lying areas were submerged, and substantial losses have been reported from Shopian and Kulgam as well.

Farmers estimate cumulative losses to be in the hundreds of crores, though officials said an accurate assessment will take time. “Field officials have been deputed and will begin visiting the affected areas from tomorrow to carry out loss assessments,” a senior Anantnag district official said.

In the last week of August, heavy rains pushed the Jhelum’s water level above 27 feet, two feet above the declared flood level. The river overflowed in several parts of south Kashmir, while a breach in Budgam inundated large areas of central Kashmir, including parts of Srinagar.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the Centre to announce a relief package for flood victims after a comprehensive assessment of the losses in both Jammu division and the Kashmir valley.