Floods Devastate Punjab Crops, Livestock, Affect Millions

Severe floods across Punjab and Delhi have caused catastrophic damage to agriculture, with millions of acres of farmland submerged and crops such as rice, wheat, cotton, and sugar cane destroyed just before harvest. In Punjab, over four lakh acres of farmland have been affected, severely threatening the region's agrarian economy and India's national food security, prompting local officials to call for significant central government aid, including increased crop damage compensation and release of rural development funds. Farmers have reported total devastation of their livelihoods, with many expressing despair over lost investments and the prospect of abandoning farming. Relief efforts include deployment of thousands of agricultural staff, distribution of fodder for livestock, and strengthening protective embankments. The floods have also resulted in widespread displacement, loss of livestock, and damage to rural infrastructure, leaving many families in relief camps with limited food and shelter. Officials emphasize the urgent need for financial support and recovery packages to help restore the agricultural sector and support affected rural communities.