Chandigarh, Sept. 2 -- Basmati growers in five flood-battered border districts of the state are staring at heavy losses as experts fear nearly 100% damage to the inundated crop.

Of the 6.81 lakh hectares under aromatic paddy variety, nearly 2.65 lakh hectares (40%) is sown in Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, and Ferozepur districts.

This year, the paddy was sown over 32.49 lakh hectares in the state. According to initial estimates, at least 1.38 lakh hectares of standing crop had been underwater for the last three weeks.

"In case the paddy crop remains completely submerged in water for more than 48 hours, there are very less chances of its revival," said Buta Singh Dhillon, senior agronomist (rice) at Punjab Agricultural Uni...