JAGATSINGHPUR: Incessant rain has washed away paddy seeds and damaged saplings in thousands of hectares of land in Balikuda and Nuagaon blocks of the district. After onset of monsoon, farmers had sown paddy seeds at some places and transplanted saplings in a majority of areas.
Farmers of 16 panchayats of Nuagaon block have been affected as there are no channels to release rain water from the inundated paddy fields. Earlier, rain water from paddy fields was released into river Gobari. Now, the river has been chocked due to encroachments and heavy siltation.Damage of paddy saplings has been reported from villages like Arkhakuda, Rohia, Narisima, Godida, Bachhalo, Rohia, Gajrajpur, Devidola, Nuagaon, Gopalpur, Ghodansa, Balishai, Tihuda, Gothda, Jamugaon, Chatiana, Bansa, Chandpur, Sikhar, Bodar, Nalang, Bhatana and Osakana under Naugaon block.
Sources said paddy saplings were recently transplanted in 60 acres of land in Nuagaon and Balikuda blocks and these farm lands are now under knee-deep water.The affected farmers of both the blocks under the banner of Nabanirman Krushak Sangthan led by block coordinator Ashok Swain held a meeting at Kornia village on Monday. They decided to demand compensation for the damaged saplings, freed seeds and a permanent solution to prevent water stagnation in paddy fields.
Deputy Director of Agriculture Subhendu Kumar Mohanty said paddy seeds were sown in 30 per cent of the planned coverage area. The damage is yet to be ascertained, he said, adding that if rain continues for three or four more days, the target crop yield for the current season would drastically come down.
Villager swept away
Jagatsinghpur: A villager of Nuagaon was swept away in river Gobari on Monday. Chagali Das of Abadalpur village under Naugaon police limits was bathing in the swollen river when he slipped and was swept away. Hearing his scream, locals rushed to the spot and made futile attempts to rescue him. They informed fire fighters at Nuagaon who started search operation but Das could not be found.