- By Akansha Pandey
- Tue, 16 Sep 2025 01:07 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
A month of severe flooding in Hapur has not only submerged agricultural fields but has also devastated the lives and aspirations of countless families. The relentless waters have destroyed the hard work of farmers, wiping out major crops including paddy, sugarcane, vegetables and maize.
Following a week of continuous rain, fields across the district have been turned into stagnant ponds. The paddy harvest lies buried in mud, the sugarcane crop has been washed away, and vegetable produce has been swept directly into the floodwaters. The very soil where farmers had planted their hopes for the year has now consumed their entire livelihood, leaving them with empty fields and crippling debt.
The disaster's impact extends far beyond financial loss, striking at the heart of family life. Many families were relying on the income from the harvest to arrange their daughters' marriages. These cherished plans have now been indefinitely postponed. A farmer from Ganganagar shared his heartbreak, explaining that he had planned to use the proceeds from his paddy sale to cover the dowry and wedding expenses for his daughter. "If the paddy had been sold, my daughter's farewell ceremony would have been grand," he lamented. "Now, the floodwaters have swallowed those dreams along with my fields."
According to Niranjan Singh, the Pradhan (village head) of Chak Lathira, and Prem Singh of Garhawali, at least two dozen families in their villages alone have been forced to postpone wedding ceremonies.
The financial situation is dire. To sow their crops, farmers had taken loans from banks and moneylenders for seeds, fertiliser, and irrigation. An estimated 99 per cent of the region's farmers hold Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans, with the expectation of repaying them after the harvest. Instead of profits, they now face a deeper crisis. Compounding their misery, banks have reportedly refused to renew their credit lines.
The crisis affects every aspect of rural life. The floodwaters have swept away not only food grains but also essential animal fodder. Small-scale farmers, some with only one or two bighas of land, are now destitute. Families face impossible choices, struggling to fund their children's education, afford medical treatment, and find money for home repairs, with over a hundred families facing costs in the lakhs of rupees. Furthermore, the stagnant water has become a breeding ground for diseases, yet many lack the funds for treatment.
Official help is underway, according to Additional District Magistrate Sandeep Kumar. "The damage to the crops is very extensive," he stated. "A proper assessment has not yet been possible, but our teams are at work. As the water level of the Ganga recedes, the condition of the crops will be assessed. A report will then be sent to the administration, after which compensation will be provided."