Sawai Madhopur. A severe agricultural crisis has emerged in the vicinity of the historic Surwal Dam, where thousands of bighas of fertile land remain submerged under floodwaters. The situation has left hundreds of local farmers unable to prepare their fields for the upcoming Rabi season, putting the cultivation of essential crops like wheat, mustard, and gram at significant risk. During a press conference held today, affected villagers expressed deep resentment toward the district administration and the Water Resources Department, demanding an immediate opening of the dam canals to drain the excess water.
Representatives from the farming community alleged that the dam is currently holding 16 feet of water, significantly exceeding the standard limit of 11 feet. This unauthorized increase in water storage has caused the reservoir to overflow into surrounding agricultural tracts, effectively turning productive farmland into a waterlogged basin. Farmers argue that this administrative negligence has jeopardized their primary source of livelihood, leaving them in a state of extreme distress as their fields remain inaccessible.
With October being the critical window for sowing Rabi crops, the delay is causing widespread panic. Farmers reported that three to four feet of standing water prevents the use of tractors and other essential agricultural machinery. If the water is not drained immediately, the region faces a total loss of the planting season, which would lead to severe economic hardship and a shortage of fodder for livestock. The community is now facing the grim prospect of food insecurity if the situation is not rectified.
The farmers have presented a clear set of demands to the authorities, starting with the immediate opening of the canal gates to lower the water level. They are also insisting that the maximum storage capacity of the dam be strictly capped at 11 feet to prevent future occurrences of such flooding. Furthermore, the affected families are calling for government intervention to provide financial compensation for the loss of their planting window and the potential destruction of their land productivity.
Concluding the briefing, the farmers issued a stern warning to the district administration. Having previously raised these concerns with officials without receiving a satisfactory response, the community has now threatened to organize a massive protest and surround the Collectorate if their demands are not met promptly. They emphasized that the responsibility for any escalation in the situation will lie solely with the local administration, as the farmers remain united in their struggle to protect their livelihoods.
