SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand's farmers are staring at an uncertain future as a two-month-long drought has delayed the sowing of Rabi crops like wheat, Mustard, Barley, Pulses, breaking their backs with no visible support from the government.
With sparse irrigation facilities, these farmers are at the mercy of the weather gods, and this year, the gods have been particularly unkind.
Himachal Pradesh has recorded the third-lowest rainfall in November in over a century, receiving a meager 0.2 mm rainfall against the normal 19.7 mm, marking a shocking -99% departure from the average.
Nine districts, including Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kullu, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Una, and Chamba, did not record a single drop of rain last month.
The grim numbers speak volumes about the plight of the state's agrarian community.
Farmers in the mid-hills and valleys rely heavily on winter precipitation to irrigate their fields, and this year’s dry spell has pushed them into a corner.
The situation is similarly dire in Uttarakhand, where farmers face identical struggles due to the lack of robust irrigation infrastructure.
Adding to the distress is the bleak weather forecast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts light rain or snowfall at isolated places in Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur, Kangra, and Kullu districts from November 30 to December 3.
The rest of the state is likely to remain dry, offering little relief to farmers eagerly awaiting moisture for their fields.
The drought's impact is devastating for wheat sowing, which relies on timely soil moisture. Farmers in rain-fed areas are now forced to delay sowing, impacting crop yields and increasing production costs.
"We are helpless. The drought has taken a heavy toll, and the government’s silence is deafening," lamented Prem Kumar, from Shakra that falls in Mandi district.
Farmers' associations are demanding immediate government intervention, including financial aid, crop insurance payouts, and alternative irrigation solutions.
"The lack of rainfall isn’t just a weather issue; it’s a livelihood crisis. The state must step up," said a farmer leader from Uttarakhand.
With the winter season offering slim chances of recovery, the farmers of Himachal and Uttarakhand continue to suffer. They stare at their dry fields, holding on to hope but no help in sight.
