Kesinga: Farmers who raised banana and groundnut in Boria village under this block in Kalahandi district were in distress as incessant rain over the last three days completely destroyed their cultivation.
Farming in nearly 60 acres of land belonging to 60 farmers was damaged in the rain, it was learnt.
According to reports, the cultivators had grown banana and groundnut along river Reta and expected a bumper harvest this season. However, the rain that lashed the area from August 13 to 15 washed away their crops and hopes, said a farmer. They are in distress as to how they would feed their families in the coming days, said another.
On the other hand, paddy was cultivated in 9,000 hectares, cotton in 9,000 hectares, arhar in 150 hectares and maize was raised in 300 hectares of land in 26 panchayats including Patharla, Kandei, Balsi, Parlsinga, Sirol, Deogaon and Adhamunda.
However, most of the farmlands were sand-casted following the rains. Apart from banana and groundnut, paddy and cotton farming has also been badly hit.
A loss assessment is being carried out on a war footing to help out the farmers, said additional tehsildar Rabindra Kumar Rout.
Many houses also sustained severe damage due to the low pressure-induced rain and it would take over a month to complete the loss assessment, revenue department sources said.
The rain has also affected five lift irrigation points in Boria village, it was learnt.
PNN