An extensive damage was caused to ripe paddy crop across Puri district because of low-pressure rains in the last few days. The paddy crop which was ready for harvest was inundated under the rain water and the plants fell down in water.
While following announcement of the Government about the possible low pressure rain, the farmers had tried their level best to harvest the crop, but only 40 per cent of the crop had been cut. Still in many areas, even after crop cutting, the crops lay in the fields. Puri recorded maximum rainfall in last two days. 90 mm rain has been recorded so far.
According to Deputy Director of Agriculture S Chandrashekhar Rao, about 5.54 lakh farmers cultivated paddy in over one lakh hectares of land spread over all 11 blocks of the district. largest cultivation was undertaken in Gop block, followed by Nimapara block.
According to preliminary estimate by the Agriculture department, paddy crop in about 50,000 hectares was likely to be damaged.
Three lakh peasants depend on the paddy crop for their livelihood. Since the Met department has forecast more rains, the peasants were worried.
This apart the horticulture crops were also damaged and the prices of vegetable were likely to go up.