Sunday, October 12, 2025

Floods in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar Devastate Farmlands: Thousands of North Bengal Farmers Struggle Amid Crop Loss, Silt, and Dolomite Crisis

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Floods in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar Devastate Farmlands: Heavy monsoon rains in North Bengal have unleashed catastrophic flooding across Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts, submerging vast stretches of farmland, washing away crops, and leaving thousands of farmers facing a deep agrarian crisis. Local rivers, swollen by incessant downpours and laden with dolomite sediments from the hills, have breached embankments and inundated paddy fields and vegetable plots just as the harvest season was approaching.

Officials and farmers alike describe the destruction as one of the worst in recent years, warning that the economic fallout could cripple the region’s agricultural backbone unless swift intervention follows.


Rivers Overflow and Submerge Fields Across Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar

The deluge has affected major river systems such as the Teesta, Jaldhaka, and Kaljani, which overflowed after days of heavy rainfall, breaching embankments and flooding the low-lying farmlands. The Jalpaiguri district has borne the worst brunt, with areas like Mainaguri, Dhupguri, and Kranti reporting massive crop losses.

According to the district agricultural office, approximately 2,000 hectares of agricultural land have been submerged or buried under thick layers of silt and dolomite. “In Mainaguri alone, over 600 hectares of paddy fields are no longer cultivable,” said Kamalesh Barman, the block agriculture officer. “We have started conducting surveys and organizing camps to process compensation under the Bangla Sasya Bima scheme.”

In Dhupguri and Kranti blocks, about 1,300 hectares of farmland—mostly under paddy and vegetables—have been destroyed. The vegetable markets of Jalpaiguri, once bustling with fresh produce, now lie nearly empty as supply chains collapse.

The situation in Alipurduar is equally grim. The floodwaters, heavily laden with dolomite from upstream Bhutan hills, have permanently damaged farmlands in Salkumar I, Salkumar II, and Purbo Kathalbari gram panchayats. “At least 100 hectares of land in these areas are under dolomite-laden silt, making them unfit for cultivation,” said Ajit Roy, agriculture officer of Alipurduar I block.

Local legislator Suman Kanjilal, who toured several affected villages, confirmed widespread destruction across both agricultural and forest areas. “The government must take immediate steps to assess losses and support farmers. We also need an Indo-Bhutan River Commission to regulate transboundary water flow and prevent such recurring damage,” he said.

For many small farmers, the devastation has erased an entire year’s income. “All our paddy fields are gone,” said Khagen Barman, a farmer from Dhupguri. “The flood didn’t just take our crop—it took away our hope for survival this season.”


Economic Fallout: A Blow to North Bengal’s Agrarian Lifeline

The agricultural sector of North Bengal is heavily dependent on seasonal crops—particularly paddy, maize, and vegetables—that sustain rural livelihoods. The current floods have wiped out months of labour and investment.

Experts estimate that the economic loss could reach hundreds of crores once assessments are finalized. Beyond immediate crop loss, the disaster threatens soil fertility, as the heavy deposition of silt and dolomite reduces the land’s productivity for future cycles.

“Dolomite-rich sediments alter the soil’s pH, making it unsuitable for traditional crops like paddy or jute,” explained a senior scientist from Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya. “Rehabilitation will require extensive soil treatment, composting, and in some cases, complete regrading of land.”

Local economies have also taken a hit. Wholesale markets in Jalpaiguri town, Maynaguri, and Alipurduar are facing acute shortages of fresh produce. Prices of essentials like green chilies, tomatoes, and leafy vegetables have skyrocketed, affecting urban consumers as well.

According to traders, the absence of supply from these two districts has disrupted the vegetable flow to Siliguri and Cooch Behar. If rehabilitation does not begin immediately, both farmers and consumers could face a prolonged agricultural slump.


Government Action: Relief Camps and Compensation Measures

District administrations in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar have launched emergency measures to aid affected farmers. Relief camps have been set up, and local officials are collecting data for insurance claims under the Bangla Sasya Bima scheme, which provides compensation for crop loss due to natural disasters.

Sarbeswar Mandal, Deputy Director of Agriculture, confirmed that special insurance camps have been established in the most affected areas. “We are prioritizing the farmers who have lost their crops entirely. Data collection is underway, and compensation will be processed once verification is complete,” he said.

However, many farmers allege that bureaucratic delays and limited awareness have left them excluded from relief benefits. “We have heard about the insurance scheme, but no one has come to our village to register us,” said Ramesh Rava, a marginal farmer from Alipurduar.

Experts emphasize that speed and transparency are crucial in the coming weeks. Delayed payments could push small farmers into debt cycles or distress migration.


Calls for River Management Reform and Indo-Bhutan Coordination

The crisis has reignited long-standing demands for an institutional mechanism to manage the transboundary rivers between India and Bhutan. The rivers descending from the Bhutan hills, such as the Torsa, Raidak, and Kaljani, carry heavy loads of silt and dolomite during the monsoon, which get deposited in farmlands downstream.

Local environmentalists and political representatives argue that without a coordinated river basin management framework, the floods will continue to devastate North Bengal annually.

“The Indo-Bhutan River Commission must be established urgently to regulate the flow of sediments and coordinate release of water from upstream sources,” said MLA Suman Kanjilal. “We also need to strengthen embankments and construct check dams along vulnerable river stretches.”

Environmental experts support this view. A study by the Centre for Himalayan Environment and Policy (external link: https://chimalayanpolicy.org/study-river-systems) notes that unchecked dolomite mining and river dredging upstream contribute significantly to downstream flooding.


Ground Reality: Farmer Voices and Daily Struggles

In village after village, scenes of devastation are everywhere. Crops lie flattened, waterlogged fields are coated with grey silt, and the air smells of decay. Farmers stand in disbelief, watching a year’s worth of effort turn into mud.

“We took loans from local moneylenders to buy seeds and fertilizers,” said Lalit Oraon, a farmer from Salkumar II. “Now we have nothing to repay them with. If we don’t get compensation soon, we will have to sell our livestock.”

Others worry about their children’s education and medical expenses. With their income gone, daily life has become uncertain. “We don’t even have money to buy rice,” said Bina Barman, a farmer’s wife from Kranti. “Every day, we wait for some relief official to visit, but no one comes.”

Local NGOs like Uttarbanga Unnayan Parishad and Krishi Sahayata Trust (external link: https://uttarbangaparishad.in) have stepped in, distributing food kits and offering technical support for soil rehabilitation. But they too admit that without state and central intervention, recovery will remain slow.


Soil Degradation and Long-Term Agricultural Threat

Soil experts warn that the current floods may have long-term ecological consequences. The heavy accumulation of dolomite not only kills standing crops but also depletes nitrogen and micronutrients essential for fertile soil.

If not remediated, the affected fields could become infertile for several seasons. Restoration requires soil testing, organic composting, and in severe cases, topsoil replacement.

According to a report by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) (external link: https://icar.org.in/soil-health-report), continuous flooding and silt deposition reduce microbial activity and organic carbon levels, leading to lower crop yields over time.

To prevent this, experts suggest launching soil restoration programs immediately, alongside training farmers in climate-resilient agricultural practices like raised-bed farming and rainwater harvesting.


Road to Recovery: Recommended Interventions

To mitigate losses and rebuild North Bengal’s agrarian economy, several strategic interventions are essential:

  1. Rapid Loss Assessment and Transparent Compensation
    • Conduct drone-based mapping of affected zones for faster data accuracy.
    • Establish mobile grievance redressal camps at panchayat level.
  2. Soil Health Restoration
    • Launch mass soil testing campaigns in affected areas.
    • Distribute organic fertilizers and biochar to restore fertility.
  3. Financial and Credit Support
    • Provide interest-free loans and waiver schemes for small and marginal farmers.
    • Strengthen the rural cooperative credit system for post-flood recovery.
  4. Infrastructure and Drainage Rehabilitation
    • Repair embankments and irrigation channels damaged by the floods.
    • Invest in long-term flood-resistant agricultural planning.
  5. Indo-Bhutan River Basin Coordination
    • Initiate cross-border agreements for sediment control and water discharge regulation.
    • Conduct joint studies on hydrogeology and erosion control.
  6. Promotion of Short-Duration and Resilient Crops
    • Encourage farmers to switch temporarily to crops that can grow on residual moisture, like pulses and maize.
    • Provide subsidized seeds and technical assistance through agricultural extension services.

The Human Toll and the Urgency of Action

Behind the statistics and satellite images are real human lives—families staring at barren fields, children missing school, and communities unsure of how they will rebuild. Unless urgent and coordinated action follows, the floods will trigger a cycle of poverty and migration across North Bengal’s farming belts.

This calamity also underscores the pressing impact of climate change in the Himalayan foothills. Erratic rainfall patterns, rising river siltation, and fragile embankments now threaten not just annual harvests but the sustainability of the entire regional ecosystem.

For the people of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, recovery will not just depend on government relief—it will depend on sustained attention, technical innovation, and empathy from policymakers.


Floods in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar Devastate Farmlands: External Resources for Reference

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