Bolagarh: The farmers of Bolagarh block in Khurda district are worried over their prospects following the forecast of a low pressure induced rain in the state.
The Indian Meteorological Department Friday predicted Odisha to witness heavy rainfall due to a deep depression over Bay of Bengal.
This forecast left the farmers in Bolagarh block in complete distress as 50 to 60 per cent ripen paddy was yet to be harvested.
In the event of rainfall, the ripe standing paddy in croplands will be destroyed, the farmers pointed out.
Notably, this season paddy has been cultivated in 14,350 hectares of farmlands on 235 villages under this block.
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.
Bolagarh assistant agriculture officer Rashmita Dash and Pitchukuli assistant agriculture officer Seeta Ratnamala said the agriculture department officials had directed the farming community to shift the harvested paddy to a safer place on a priority basis.
PNN