Bhubaneswar: Heavy rainfall in several parts of Odisha has inundated farmlands, destroying vegetable crops and paddy saplings ready for transplantation, besides causing losses to fish farmers as floodwater entered ponds.Paddy saplings were damaged following heavy rain in Kendrapada district’s Marshaghai block and Bhadrak’s Basudevpur. The residents of Manikunda and Hatiapata villages in Marshaghai block said rainwater had not been draining out of the area since the construction of a national highway. “As the water is not being released, our paddy saplings have been damaged. We had sown seeds after buying them and preparing the field. We hope the govt will help drain the water from our area,” said a villager from Manikunda.Minakhi Nayak, a resident of Ratanga village under Basudevpur block, said rain continued for six days in their area. “We had taken loans to raise paddy crops. The saplings have been damaged, and this year’s income is gone. We hope the govt will provide compensation for the crop loss,” she said.Another villager said he had suffered losses after floodwater entered his fish pond. “All fish have escaped. I have lost around Rs 1 lakh,” he said.Incessant rain has also damaged vegetable crops in Athagarh block of Cuttack district and four villages under Pipili in Puri, with floodwater entering the low-lying areas of several villages.Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rain for two days in different parts of Odisha. The IMD has issued a yellow warning for heavy rainfall in 15 districts, prompting the special relief commissioner (SRC) to direct the district administrations to remain prepared for any eventuality.According to an IMD bulletin on Sunday, heavy rainfall was recorded at isolated places in Nayagarh, Kalahandi and Bargarh districts. Bhapur in Nayagarh received the highest rainfall at 10cm.The SRC advised the collectors of the affected districts to keep the administrative machinery ready and take precautionary measures against waterlogging, localised flooding, poor visibility and possible damage to vulnerable structures and crops. People have been urged to remain alert and take shelter during thunderstorms and lightning.
