DHENKANAL:Even as one part of Dhenkanal district is facing flood threat from the swelling Brahmani, the other has received no rain leaving the farmers worried.
The river has submerged roads leading to Jaipur, Kanka, Nrushinghapur and Goradapal and crops in these areas have been inundated. Vehicular communication has been snapped for the last two days. In Parjang, Dhodeswar Pitha and Bishnu temple are under knee-deep water. Water has entered Dhalpur, Kuspanga, Nadhara and Mangalpur areas of Odapada block. The situation is similar in Gengutia. Farmers are apprehensive that if water does not recede within a day, crops would be damaged.
However, areas like Bhuban and Kamakhyanagar have not received adequate rainfall for irrigation. Situation is grim in areas like Mathakoragala, Jiral, Suraparatppur and Jamunakote that depend on the left Rengali canal for irrigation water. Sanata Sahoo, a farmer of Parjang, allegedly committed suicide on Friday as his crops were damaged due to lack of water. As a result, he could not repay crop loan.
There are 10 gram panchayats, including Kuturia, Mahavirroad, Jhili, Gadapalasuni, Biriboloi and Dashipur that have no access to irrigation water. These panchayats depend on rain for irrigation.
Members of Kamakshyanagar Praja Sangharsa Samiti on Saturday urged Kamakhyanagar Sub-Collector Kalpataru Behera to direct Rengali Left canal administration to release water as soon as possible. Subsequently, Behera held a discussion with canal authorities over the issue.