BALASORE | Aug 24, 2016: The flash floods triggered by heavy rain in Jharkhand last week has submerged thousands of hectares of agriculture land in northern parts of Balasore district, ruining paddy and vegetable crops.

Even as the flood water has receded, standing paddy crops and vegetable fields were damaged in Baliapal and Bhogarai blocks. The areas were hit by flood in river Subarnarekha and the backwater from West Bengal. Though the damage assessment has not been completed yet, according to an initial estimation agriculture field of over 7,000 acres has been damaged during the recent flood. Farmers fear huge loss as it is already middle of the kharif season and fresh transplantation may not be beneficial.

While in many areas the flood water could not be discharged for three to four days due to high tide in the sea during full-moon period besides the floodwater of Subarnarekha, the rain water from West Bengal submerged standing crops in Bhogarai block.

Fearing complete crop loss, farmers have demanded financial assistance. Karunakar Behera from Baliapal said, the paddy fields are now filled with sand and mud after remaining inundated for days together. The high yielding paddy varieties are the worst suffers, he said.

Sources said, crop land in 40 villages in both the blocks were submerged during the flash flood. Apart from paddy, vegetable crops including lady finger, bitter gourd, brinjal, green chilli, green leafy vegetables and pumpkin have also been badly hit.

Agriculture department authorities are aware of the situation. They have entrusted the officials to conduct a survey and prepare a report as soon as possible.

Deputy Director of Agriculture Gangadhar Pal said paddy field submergence was reported from two blocks. “Paddy plants have been damaged due to mud deposition in some areas. The percentage of loss is yet to be estimated. The damage assessment is underway,” he added.

(Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/)