Post News Network
Bhubaneswar,Dec 26: The state government Friday directed all district collectors to alert farmers and take adequate measures for protection of paddy harvested this kharif season, in view of possible rainfall because of a low pressure formation over Bay of Bengal.
“The state is likely to witness rainfall in coastal, northern and southern parts from December 29 to January 1, according to Met sources,” said special relief commissioner (SRC) PK Mohapatra.
“District collectors have been advised to take required measures and farmers have been advised to keep their harvest in safer places,” Mohapatra said.
Met department sources said a low pressure had formed over Bay of Bengal near south Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka coast and is likely to intensify into a depression and move towards north Andhra Pradesh and south Orissa coast December 29.
Under its impact, moderate to isolated heavy rainfall is likely in Orissa, especially in coastal and south Orissa during this period, Met officials predicted. The rainfall may also increase in north Orissa and coastal Orissa from December 31.
In view of this, all collectors have been instructed to urge farmers to take steps to protect their crops that have been harvested or are under harvest.
“Paddy and other crops already cut/harvested that are lying in the open or stacked in fields may be immediately shifted to the threshing ground or to any high land that is unlikely to be inundated in the event of a rain,” the SRC said.
Crops in the threshing ground should be properly stacked and kept under cover to avoid damage because of rain.
The co-operation, agriculture and food supply departments have also been asked to be prepared to face the situation and keep foodgrain at mandis covered, Mohapatra said.
