The rain and flood of early August and the large scale devastations it did to the standing crops and other properties of the locals, besides the inflationary market conditions, had a direct impact on the Nuankhai, which is a mass agrarian festival of western Odisha.

For most of the flood-hit, it was a low key affair. Given the inflationary market situation, the poor people found it tough to celebrate the festival, especially those who have been victims of the calamity. In their villages, the situation was yet to be normal.

The worst-hit had not repaired their broken huts. Whether it is Thakurpara or Binakhandi or any other slum and low lying areas, the travails of fighting with every adversity had not ended.

Everyone, whether rich or poor, waits for the Nuankhai which is celebrated a day after the Ganesh Puja every year on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadra. Family members come from their work places for a get-together and feasting on the occasion.

But the situation is quite different this year as the spirit of the people has been dampened. “While rich men could arrange everything in spite of all odds, it is the poor who really feel the pinch,” said Pabitra Tandi of Binakhandi, who lost his house to the ravaging flood.

“When I am yet to get my house repaired, how can I get the charm of the festival,” he explained. But as part of a long continuing tradition, for the almighty and for my family members, I have prepared to celebrate the Nuankhai somehow and offer the first Prasad to the presiding deity of the home,” Pabitra told.

Pramod Mishra, an insurance employee who lives in Bhubaneswar, came to his home town here on the festival day. But he was not upbeat. He was disheartened to see the living conditions of the people after weeks after the flood. “God is really cruel to us this year,” commented Mishra.

Broken houses apart, market prices of the vegetables and other commodities also have soared high. No vegetable was sold below Rs 40. Potato continued to be sold at Rs 30. New paddy which is an essential commodity was also sold at high price. However, its availability was again a problem as the rain and flood had damaged the crops.

With great difficulty the village people are collecting the new paddy and selling it in the market. Since the paddy is less in quantity and the demand for it is high, it is sold at a very high rate, said a resident of the town here.