Paralakhemundi: Farmers in Kashinagar block of Gajapati district have reported heavy crop damage after rainwater inundated their paddy fields, with many blaming the increased height of the Gotta barrage in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for the crop loss.
Reports said that about 200 farmers lost paddy cultivation on nearly 300 acres of farmlands after rain-swollen ponds and blocked drains caused fl oodwater to enter farmlands in Galibadi, Iddu and Bhupati Lakshmipur villages and Kashinagar NAC area.
Farmers alleged that Andhra Pradesh has violated its earlier agreement with Odisha by unilaterally raising the height of the barrage’s concrete wall by 3 feet. The move has led to heavy silt deposition in the Vamsadhara riverbed near Kashinagar. As a result, rainwater no longer drains properly into the river and instead submerges farmlands.
The affected farmers met Kashinagar NAC executive officer Bhagabat Sahu and demanded compensation, urging him to visit their farmlands and review the situation. NAC vice-chairman and local farmers’ association secretary Raghuram Sahu also supported their demand during the discussion with the executive officer.
Kashinagar Citizens’ Forum president Prashant Mishra warned that farmers will be forced to launch an agitation if the NAC fails to mitigate their sufferings and act on their demands.
Senior resident Gopinath Choudhury recalled that a similar situation in 1980, when the Gotta barrage shutters were not opened, had triggered devastating floods in Kashinagar area. Choudhury said the state government must remain vigilant to check Andhra Pradesh’s anti-Odisha activities in border areas
PNN
