Fazilka, Aug 8— The Punjab government ordered a special girdawari (assessment) to evaluate crop and property damage in Fazilka district, where nearly 20,000 acres of farmland have been submerged due to continuous rainfall over the past few days.
Deputy Commissioner Amarpreet Kaur Sandhu confirmed that instructions had been issued to all sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to conduct the assessment in a “transparent and time-bound manner” to ensure no affected individual is left out.
The Fazilka sub-division has been worst hit, with official figures showing damage to paddy and cotton crops on over 11,700 acres across at least 20 villages, including Tahliwala Bodla, Singhpura, and Chahlan.
Many farmers, already burdened by rising input costs, have alleged administrative negligence. “There has been massive damage, and the administration must act urgently,” said Sunil Kumar, sarpanch of Tahliwala Bodla village.
Amid growing frustration, protests erupted in several villages, with farmers blocking the Fazilka-Malout road demanding immediate relief and drainage measures.
In response, the district administration has deployed pumps and emergency teams to drain stagnant water from low-lying areas. The DC, who visited the flood-hit zones earlier this week, said all departments are on alert to respond swiftly to public grievances.
The final report of the girdawari is expected to guide compensation and rehabilitation efforts for the affected families.
Read more: 20,000 Acres of Crops Submerged in Fazilka Flooding
