Floodwater has receded in most rivers here, but normalcy was yet to be restored. The farmers have incurred heavy loss as rains and floods have destroyed crops over vast swathes of farmland.
In the first phase of the current monsoon year starting almost from the second week of June, the farmers suffered the impact of scanty and sporadic rainfall. However, the torrential rains and floods in August threw cold water on their standing crops and hope of a good harvest.
loss of seedling and transplanted paddy apart, sand cast has become a major problem in the district. Due to sand cast, the agricultural land of the farmers of Sahaspur, Bargan, Dhama, Banduapali, Dakra, Ambkuni, Baunsara and many other villages have been totally damaged.
When the water level soared fast towards 630 feet in the first week of August, the authorities of Hirakud Dam project had no other option than to release water through 50 sluice gates. And that caused flood and major crop loss in the villages close to the river Mahanadi in Sambalpur district.
The new paddy seedling remained submerged for three/four days and sand cast added to the problem, said Pradyumna Sahu, a farmer of Khandual. “We have brought the problem to the notice of the local MlA and the Tehsildar,” Sahu said.
“During my visit to the flood hit villages under Maneswar block, the farmers narrated their problems. I also saw the damages and felt the gravity of the situation. The farmers would be adequately compensated,” assured MlA Rohit Pujari. He added that the local Tehsildar and the district administration had been asked to assess the damage and compensate the victim farmers.
Meanwhile, deputy director of agriculture (DDA), Sambalpur Ashok Kumar Mohanty said that no crop is possible in the field if thickness of sand is more than six inches. Farmers would be suggested for alternative crop according to the suitability of the land. In case of thin sand cast, the loss will be minimal, he informed.
Notably, Gokul Mirdha, a farmer of Bargarh district committed suicide unable to bear with the loss due to floods and rains. The episode may well be replicated here if the Government does not take prompt measures at handing out proper compensation, sources apprehended.