Nimapara: Cyclonic storm Fani has taken a heavy toll on betel vines in Nimapara area of Puri district.
According to sources, 2,500 betel vines in Chhenua, Kalapanchana, Michheipur, Denua, Ratilo, Baranichaka, Chaanarpada, Shagada, Badamachhapur, Alanda, Dhaleswar, Chhanijang, Tulasipur and Baharena panchayats have been shattered by the cyclonic storm along Puri coast May 3.
As per preliminary assessment done by the state Horticulture department, the farmers have incurred losses up to Rs 8 crore in the cyclonic storm.
Moreover, the summer storm has devastated coconut, cashew, banana, mango and vegetables in over 17,000 hectare in Nimapara block and Nimapara NAC (notified area council). Horticulture officials have estimated that Fani losses to orchards and vegetable farms could mount to Rs 12 crore.
“The storm has destroyed many farms and nurseries of Horticulture department. The department has incurred losses to the tune of Rs 20 crore in Nimapara,” said a district administration official.
Destruction of betel vines has impaired the livelihood of hundreds of farmers. “We eke out our livelihood by growing betel leaves. Now, we have no source of income,” said Sarat Pradhan, a farmer of Michheipur.
Bharat Swain, another farmer from Tulasipur, said “We were transporting betel leaves to Cuttack, Puri, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Bhadrak and Kolkata. Cyclone Fani has disrupted our business.”