Chandigarh, Oct. 8 -- Even as the state government is trying to conclude its special girdawari to assess flood damage, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has flagged the issue of thick silt deposits in fields, which, experts say, farmers cannot clear on their own to make the land cultivable again.

According to preliminary reports collated from the girdawari being conducted by the revenue department, out of the 5 lakh acres of farmland affected due to floods in August-September, the crop over 2.97 lakh acres has suffered 100% damage.

To date, the assessment of 3.5 lakh acres has been completed, and the state is collating the data of the rest of 1.5 lakh acres. The state government is likely to send a memorandum of losses to the Centre ...