Bhawanipatna: With hundreds of acres of watermelons being destroyed due to severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ and the unseasonal Nor’wester rain, watermelons from Chhattisgarh has been hitting Bhawanipatna market.
Traders from the neighbour state are earning huge bucks taking advantage of the situation. They are selling the produce at high rates. This has added to the woes of the people who are already reeling under stress and loss due to the natural calamities.
“The actual rate was Rs 8-10 per kilo in previous years. But, we have to buy it for Rs 20-22 this year from Chhattisgarh,” said a trader Ramesh Behera.
Like every year, this year too, watermelons were cultivated in acres of farmland. However, to the dismay of farmers, the severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ washed away the produce just during the time of harvest, incurring huge losses to the farmers.
The actual rate was Rs 8-10 per kilo in previous years but, we have to buy it for Rs 20-22 this year from Chhattisgarh
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Ramesh Behera| a watermelon trader
This has reduced the production rate in the district. Moreover, the local markets are running out of watermelons and traders have to import it from Chhattisgarh by paying high prices. This on the other hand makes hole in the pockets of common men as they have to pay much higher prices for a watermelon.
Every year, many traders would be spotted selling watermelons alongside roads. However, the roads wear a deserted look this year. Places like the Statue square, Godhaghat square, Manikeswari High School square, Gandhi square, Government Hospital square, weekly market, daily market and College square would be mostly filled with people eating watermelons in the evening every year.
However, no people are seen in this area these days, thanks to Fani and the intense heat. Locals demanded the administration to provide necessary assistance to watermelon farmers who have suffered huge losses and help them re-grow their crops again this year.