Malkangiri: The low-pressure triggered torrential rainfall which resulted in flood has played havoc with the life of farmers as hundreds of acres of farmland were sand cast after the floodwaters of Poteru inundated the villages in Chitrangpalli panchayat under Kalimela block in this district, a report said Saturday.
The flood has thrown life out of gear damaging properties and crops in many parts of the district. While many have lost their kutcha houses, the farmers are the worst hit. Reports claim that over 200 farmers in Mudakhal, Doraguda, Uskapalli and Durumaguda villages under Chitrangpalli panchayat have been at the receiving end after they lost all their crops in the floodwaters.
Several farmlands have been sand cast due to flooding. The paddy crops have been destroyed after the farmlands remained submerged under floodwater, farmers Deba Sodi, Kana Sodi, Bhima Madkami, Kasa Sodi, Mala Padiami, Irma Sodi of Mudakhal village and ward member Kasa Beti, Muka Padiami of Uskaplli and Jaga Madi, Deba Madkami, Ganga Madkami of Durumuguda said.
They alleged the floodwater of Poteru entered their villages and destroyed several houses and standing crops on their farmlands. They had raised the crops with a lot of efforts after borrowing from local moneylenders and banks. This has pushed them into distress as they find it difficult to repay the loans. They alleged no revenue or agriculture official has visited them to take stock of the situation and make an assessment of their crop loss.
Saturday, sarpanch Aita Madkami and the samiti member visited the affected areas and assured them of taking up the matter with the district administration. The farmers warned that they will take to the streets if their pleas for compensation are not addressed at earliest.
Reports said floodwaters have also destroyed crops in other parts of Kalimela block as well as in Padia, Korukunda and Malkangiri blocks. The floodwaters have also destroyed fish farming in many ponds. Fish farmers have demanded compensation for the loss.
PNN
