Mandi: Floodwaters Destroy Cash Crops, Farmers Suffer Losses Worth Lakhs

Mandi, August 1:
The recent spell of torrential rain and subsequent flash floods in Mandi district has left a trail of devastation, especially for the farming community. On the night of July 28, a sudden surge in the Zero Point stream near Mandi city led to severe flooding in Sain Mohalla and nearby areas, causing extensive damage.

Several houses and agricultural fields were inundated with debris and water. Sain Mohalla was the worst hit, where standing cash crops like okra, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, French beans, and ginger have been completely destroyed. A thick layer of silt—three to four feet deep—now covers the fields, wiping out the crops entirely and making it nearly impossible to sow again in the near future.

Retaining walls built along the fields were damaged, and irrigation channels were severely impacted by the floodwaters. Farmers Parmanand Saini and Rihan Saini shared that floodwater entering their fields and homes has caused damage worth lakhs. Debris from the stream also entered residential areas and even swept away several vehicles.

Losses Estimated at ₹20 Crore So Far

Speaking on the district-wide impact, Ramchandra Chaudhary, Deputy Director of Agriculture (Mandi), said that the total damage reported so far due to rain and floods stands at approximately ₹20 crore. This includes an estimated ₹11 crore in crop losses and ₹9 crore in damage to polyhouses and irrigation schemes.

Departmental teams are currently assessing the situation in Sain Mohalla, and a list of affected farmers is being compiled to facilitate further relief measures.