Rain Damages Paddy on 13,500 Hectares in Punjab; Patiala Worst Hitਮੀਂਹ ਨਾਲ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ 13,500 ਹੈਕਟੇਅਰ ਝੋਨੇ ਨੂੰ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ, ਪਟਿਆਲਾ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਿਤ

Rain over the past 48 hours has damaged paddy across more than 13,500 hectares in Punjab, according to a state Agriculture Department report cited by The Tribune on October 13, 2026. Several districts, including Fazilka, have yet to send in their assessments, so the figure could rise.

Which districts are hit hardest?

Patiala reported the largest affected area at 9,256 hectares, followed by Ludhiana at 2,000 hectares, Gurdaspur at 1,337 hectares, Muktsar at 700 hectares, Hoshiarpur at 221 hectares and Bathinda at 80 hectares. Paddy and basmati were flattened by rain and gusty winds in several areas.

Fazilka, where freshly harvested paddy was seen floating in a waterlogged grain market on Monday, had not yet reported its damage to the Director, Agriculture.

What does the Agriculture Department say?

Director, Agriculture, Dr Gurjit Singh told The Tribune that Punjab recorded an average of 15.8 mm of rain over two days. He said there was not much loss across the state, but flattened crops in some districts could see yield fall by 3 to 4 per cent, and harvesting could be delayed by three to four days in some areas.

A report on cotton is still awaited. Singh said one major picking was already complete, limiting the likely impact.

What are farmers and officials seeing on the ground?

Hindustan Times quoted Fazilka's chief agriculture officer Kulwant Singh as saying basmati in Fazilka block may have lost 15 to 20 per cent, with the exact damage to be fixed after physical verification of fields. BKU state president Manjit Singh Rai said flattened paddy could suffer discolouration and lower quality, and that uncovered heaps in some mandis got wet.

The Tribune's Ludhiana report said combine harvesters could not enter waterlogged fields, halting harvesting in the region. Opposition leaders including Sukhbir Singh Badal have demanded compensation and a special girdawari; the government has not announced relief in the reports seen.

What happens next?

The final extent of damage will be clearer when all districts report. Further showers are forecast, according to earlier reports, so harvesting may stay slow in waterlogged fields.

How much paddy has rain damaged in Punjab?

Over 13,500 hectares in the past 48 hours, per the state Agriculture Department report, with some districts yet to report.

Which district has the most damaged paddy?

Patiala, with 9,256 hectares, followed by Ludhiana (2,000) and Gurdaspur (1,337).

Will rain delay paddy harvesting in Punjab?

The Director, Agriculture, expects a delay of three to four days in some areas and a 3 to 4 per cent yield fall on flattened crops.