Punjab Farmers Face Catastrophic Losses as Monsoon Floods Devastate Region

Flood-Hit Indian Farmers Face Swelling Losses as Monsoon Rains Devastate Punjab State GURDASPUR, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 - The relentless monsoon rains that have been battering India's northern state of Punjab for weeks have left a trail of destruction in their wake. For farmers like Gurvinder Singh, the devastating floods have not only destroyed their crops but also threaten to upend their livelihoods. Singh, a 47-year-old farmer from Gurdaspur district, had taken out a loan of one million rupees (approximately $11,000) from a private lender to marry off his eldest daughter. He used part of the money to sow three acres of paddy, betting on the high-yielding pearl variety of aromatic Basmati rice. The good sale would have earned him nearly one million rupees per acre. However, Singh's crop lies submerged in floodwater, buried under layers of soil and sediment. "I cannot afford this shocking flood at this time in my life," he told Al Jazeera. "We are ruined. This year's harvest was supposed to cover our debts, but this field is a lake now, and I don't know how I will start again." The Punjab state government has declared the floods a natural calamity, releasing emergency funds for relief and rehabilitation efforts. However, many farmers like Singh feel that these measures are insufficient. "The compensation we receive from the government is not enough to cover our losses," said Jagroop Singh, a farmer from nearby Amritsar district. "We need more support to rebuild our lives." The floods have also raised concerns about food security in the region. Punjab is one of India's largest producers of wheat and rice, and the crop damage could lead to shortages and price increases. According to official estimates, over 100,000 hectares of agricultural land have been affected by the floods, with losses estimated at over $1 billion. The state government has announced plans to rebuild embankments and restore irrigation systems, but many farmers are skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures. As the monsoon rains show no signs of abating, farmers like Gurvinder Singh are left to wonder how they will restart from scratch. "We have been farming for generations," he said. "But this year's floods have taught us a harsh lesson: that we are at the mercy of nature." The Punjab state government has set up relief camps and distribution centers to provide food, shelter, and other essential items to affected families. However, many farmers are still struggling to come to terms with their losses. As the region begins to rebuild, one thing is clear: the impact of the floods will be felt for years to come. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*