Phulbani/Rayagada: Even as the IMD predicted light to moderate rain/thundershower over districts in south Odisha, the forecast has left farmers a worried lot who are already reeling under the loss caused by Titli.
While farmers across the state are harvesting their paddy, the sudden rain might further compound their woes, the farmers anticipated.
As a precaution, the peasants have starting shifting their harvested paddy and cotton crops to safer places. But, many farmers rued that they have just started harvesting and would not be able to save their crops.
Rainfall is likely over districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada,Kalahandi December 16 and over districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapara, Bargarh, Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur December 17.
In the event of rainfall, the ripe standing paddy in croplands will be destroyed, the farmers pointed out. With the fear of rainfall looming large, the farming community was seen cutting and piling the crops in their farmyards recently. If there is no rain, crops from all types of farmlands would be harvested by the end of December.
“Keeping in view the rain forecast of two days from tomorrow, we have covered harvested crops in farmland,” said a farmer.
Expressing similar views, a cotton farmer said, “As the met department has predicted rain, we have plucked cotton hurriedly to keep them at safer places.” Agriculture officers are now busy in creating awareness among farmers for safekeeping of the harvested crops.
“Field functionaries are visiting farmers to create awareness and are advising them to cover harvested crops and keep at safe places,” said Rabindra Nath Khuntia, Deputy Director of Agriculture department, Rayagada.
As per the Regional Meteorological Centre forecast, the rainfall activity will mostly be over the districts in interior Odisha and a few places in the coastal areas.
The deep depression over Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclone and subsequently into a severe cyclonic storm and likely to cross Andhra Pradesh on December 17.
PNN