Aradi: Rivers like Salandi and Baitarani flow in Chandbali block of Bhadrak district, but sea water gushes through these two rivers and finds its way into farmlands in scores of low-lying villages during tidal waves. Saline ingress is a serious problem for farmers who allege that in the absence of embankments along the rivers at some places, they are incurring huge losses.
Reports said on full moon days and new moon days, saline ingress hits Shitalpur, Sanapanka, Batola, Singipur, Mutha, Santara of Aradi panchayat; Palatpur, Bhuinpur, Nandapur, Bankamuhan of Nandapur panchayat; and Olaga, Bodak and Sathibankuda panchayats.
Locals said as there was not sufficient rainfall in the current year, the river water has become more salty. In the early part of April, saline water had inundated vast patches of farmlands in the area, affecting rabi crops.
Farmers said the saline water also entered the farmlands where saplings for summer paddy were grown. The damaged saplings will affect paddy yield, they added.
In 2004, the government had decided to lay saline embankments along the rivers. Such bunds have been built along Baitarani till Tinitar. Saline embankment to the east of Salandi has been built while the western side of its banks has not been protected by bunds.
People of riparian villages expressed their displeasure over the persistent problem. Former MLAs Manmohan Samal and Bijay Nayak and sitting MLA Byomkesh Ray had assured the locals of building saline embankments. Even funds were sanctioned and some contractors had visited the sites. Surprisingly, no initiative was undertaken for the embankments later.
The farmers demanded immediate steps to lay saline embankments and warned of an agitation if no measure was taken in this direction.
Ramakant Bhoi, a farmer of Palatpur, said, “We are sitting pretty due to saline ingress in the farmland. Assurances are given, but no steps are taken in reality.”
Swadeh Panda, samiti member of Nandapur panchayat, accused the MLA of taking no steps in this direction. He said that the MLA has no interest in laying saline embankment on the western side of Salandi.