PRAYAGRAJ, Aug. 24 -- The agriculture department has begun a survey to assess crop losses and provide relief to farmers in Prayagraj whose standing crops have been damaged by excessive rainfall. Prayagraj is among 10 districts in Uttar Pradesh that have received more than 120% of their normal rainfall during the current monsoon. The district normally receives 503 mm of rain between June and August. This year, it has recorded 619.7 mm during the period, around 123% of normal, according to the meteorological department. The excessive rain has particularly affected agricultural areas prone to waterlogging. The agriculture department estimates that around 15% to 18% of the sown area has suffered crop damage. Paddy crops in 81 villages have also been affected, officials said. "Vegetable crops have suffered the most because they get damaged after remaining submerged in water for two days. Paddy has also been affected in areas where fields remained waterlogged for several days," deputy director of agriculture Pawan Kumar Vishwakarma said. The department is carrying out a survey to assess crop losses and has launched a special awareness campaign to encourage farmers who have not insured their crops to enrol under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana by August 31, he added. The crop insurance scheme has already provided relief to farmers in the district. During 2025-26, as many as 7,397 farmers received insurance claims totalling Rs.326.44 lakh for crop losses. Under the crop insurance mechanism, farmers must report crop damage caused by excessive rain, flooding or waterlogging within 72 hours to the insurance company or agriculture department. They can report losses through the toll-free number 14447 or the crop insurance app....