大象传媒

Heatwaves and other extreme weather caused by climate change in India have left many farmers there struggling to cope. Recent extreme temperatures, which have risen to as high as 49C, have wiped out crops and caused widespread anxiety.

A group of farmers from just outside Delhi share their worries and detail how the extreme heat is affecting their mental health. Sunil Bhati describes the impact of losing sleep and concerns about his crops failing. Another farmer, Anil Bhati, describes how an early start to the hot season saw his wheat crop yield plummet by 40 per cent. "When your income is uncertain, it leads to sleep deprivation and other health problems. I don't see any hope". Deepak Bhati says that he ended up having to feed his crops to the animals owing to a variety of factors. He says, "marginal farmers are always in debt, borrowing from the banks or local money lenders, loans which they can't pay back." Rajbir lost his entire wheat crop after an unseasonal hailstorm. "Thoughts about a negative future keep recurring in my head" He is plagued with anxiety about the future. Weather patterns have changed. Those with money can irrigate their fields, but for the poor, it's a huge problem." Photo: Indian farmer Anil Bhati Credit: 大象传媒 among farmers there, and exacerbated the problems of those owing money to moneylenders and banks.

Photo: Indian farmer Anil Bhati Credit: Rajesh Joshi / 大象传媒