Plough the Soil and Add More Nitrogen to Cope with Flood Damage: Scientists

Recent heavy rains and flash floods have submerged large areas of farmland across north-western India, destroying standing crops and leaving farmers assessing the extent of the damage.

Significant losses have been reported in parts of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. Crops have either been drowned under water or damaged beyond recovery. Scientists from the ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Regional Centre, Karnal, have issued advisory guidelines to help farmers protect their livelihoods and recover from the disaster.

Key Recommendations from Experts

• For paddy fields: Drain excess water and apply nitrogen and potassium fertilizers to restore soil health.
• For maize farmers: Create proper drainage channels and monitor for stem rot.
• For cotton growers: Manage root rot and pest attacks, while cane farmers are advised to apply nitrogen at the right time.
• For vegetable producers: Improve drainage, prune damaged plants, and apply protective treatments.
• For orchardists: Remove silt, repair drainage systems, and use fungicides to control root rot.

Dr. Shiv K. Yadav, Principal Scientist and Head at ICAR-IARI Karnal, stated that while the immediate damage is severe, timely interventions can reduce long-term losses. “Where the water has receded, farmers should plough the fields to restore aeration and apply nitrogen along with organic fertilizers to improve soil health,” he explained. “Fields still under water should be drained using pumps or channels. In areas where silt has accumulated, soil treatment and re-sowing will be necessary once conditions improve.”

Dr. Yadav also emphasized the importance of post-harvest care. “To prevent spoilage, rescued paddy, maize, and fruits should be dried on raised platforms under tarpaulins. Damaged straw from paddy and maize can be processed into silage for livestock feed,” he said. He added that the disaster underscores agriculture’s vulnerability to climate change and highlights the need for long-term solutions such as better drainage, crop diversification, climate-resilient varieties, and disaster preparedness.

Dr. Sangita Yadav, Principal Scientist at ICAR-IARI, noted that major Kharif crops have been the worst affected. “In Haryana and Punjab, Basmati rice, maize, sugarcane, and cotton have suffered extensive damage. In Himachal Pradesh, landslides and silt deposition have caused significant losses to apple orchards. Uttarakhand has seen crop losses due to blast disease in paddy fields and damage to pulses. Jammu & Kashmir has reported damage to maize, rice, vegetables, and apple orchards, while in Ladakh, buckwheat, barley, and apricot crops have been destroyed.”

She urged farmers to act promptly based on crop type. “For paddy, drainage and nutrient supplementation are critical. Maize farmers should focus on water removal and disease monitoring, while cotton growers must control pests and rot. Timely nitrogen application is essential in sugarcane fields. Vegetable growers should manage waterlogging and prune damaged plants, while orchard owners need to clear silt, repair drains, and use fungicides against root rot,” she advised.