Punjab orders early assessment of crop damage due to rains

Punjab government today ordered an early assessment of crop damage due to widespread rains lashing various parts of the state, with paddy and cotton being feared to have been damaged in a few districts including Muktsar, Fazilka.
"Punjab Chief Minister (Parkash Singh Badal) has ordered an early assessment of any crop loss in all the districts of the state because of rains," Punjab Financial Commissioner (Development) Suresh Kumar told PTI today.
"We expect some damage (due to rains)," he said, adding that the assessment report would be ready by tomorrow.
The state government has asked the agriculture and revenue departments to carry out the assessment of any loss because of rains which have lashed various parts of the northern region.

Reports pouring from districts suggest that there could be instances of crop damage in Fazilka, Mansa and Muktsar districts because of rains and overflowing distributaries.
Widespread rainfall today lashed most parts of Punjab and Haryana plummeting the maximum temperature by up to two degrees celsius in the region.

Punjab government couple of days ago had ordered revenue assessment (Girdawri) of district Mansa where cotton crop suffered have losses due to excessive rains.
Notably, Punjab had received a rainfall of 138 mm, against a normal of 400.7 mm for the period, resulting in a deficit of 65 per cent between June 1-August 31 this year.

Meanwhile, water level in Bhakra dam today stood at 1,672.60 feet as against 1,676.59 feet in corresponding period of last year.
The water level in Pong dam was found to be lower at 1,363.69 feet as compared to water level of 1,388.35 on the same day last year.
The water inflow in Bhakra reservoir was 24,128 cusecs as against 31,058 cusecs in corresponding period last year.
Inflow in Pong dam was 12,954 cusecs as against 15,214 cusecs on the same day last year.
The water outflow from Bhakra was 18,290 cusecs which was lower than outflow of 27,750 cusecs in corresponding period of last year. The outflow from Bhakra was 14,005 cusecs as against 6,002 cusecs in corresponding period of last year.

Bhakra and Pong dams are to be filled up to a level of 1,680 feet and 1,390 feet respectively by September.
Three partnering states --Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan get water from Bhakra and Pong for various purposes, including irrigation.