Cyclone Threat To Odisha: OUAT Sounds Alert For Farmers, Issues Advisory

The Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) on Monday issued an advisory to farmers in view of expected rainfall in the State triggered by a low pressure between November 30 and December 2.

The premier institute's experts have advised farmers across the State to harvest 85% ripe paddy as soon as possible before the spells of rain begin. Furthermore, the farmers have been advised to perform threshing and cleaning works to dislodge the grains, if possible, or simply store their produce in a safe place and cover it with plastic sheets. This will protect the stock from getting wet.

Moreover, the experts have also advised digging passageways in farmlands so that the rainwater doesn't get lodged. If the left out paddy plants are leaning on the ground after rainfall, the farmers are advised to erect those and bind in bundles. 

The agri experts have warned of possible threats of pest attack (Kenda Katta) after rainfall when the weather turns dry in the aftermath of rains. 

Owing to the possibilities of pest attack, the farmers must suspend Rabi crop farming for the time being, they advised.

While unseasonal rains battered the State and had destroyed the crops a few months back, the alert for the impending Cyclone has streamed fear among the farmers as the storm will trigger rainfall and the wind speed will remain high. Farmers in Kendrapada are hurriedly harvesting the ripe crops and storing them safely. 

Farmers have expressed deep concern as they have very less time to harvest the ripe crop and store it safely.

Odisha SRC Instructs Collectors To Remain Prepared

Meanwhile, in view of the low-pressure forecast, the Special Relief Commissioner has sounded alert for all Collectors and instructed them to remain prepared for the situation.

The SRC has written to all district Collectors to closely monitor the situation and take immediate measures as and when needed.

Moreover, the SRC has emphasized to ensure the safety of the paddy stock in mandis and farmers have been suggested to transfer the harvested paddy to safe places to avoid damage in rain.

IMD's Forecast Of Rainfall, Wind Intensity

Though the regional centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar has not yet clarified over the cyclonic circulation, it has released a forecast about rainfall and wind. As per IMD's forecast, the system is likely to move west-north-westwards and concentrate into a Depression over southeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal during subsequent 48 hours.

The IMD Regional Centre has said that the overall weather across Odisha will remain dry till December 1. However, on December 2, districts including Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri and Jagatsinghpur will start experiencing spells of moderate rain. 

"The intensity of rainfall is likely to increase from the night of December 3. While districts including Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal and Dhenkanal will receive light rainfall, districts including Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri are likely to witness heavy rainfall," said HR Biswas, Director, IMD, Bhubaneswar.

Meanwhile, the SRC has issued a Yellow warning for Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri for 24 hours starting from 8.30 am on December 3. Light to moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur at one or two places over these districts.

The low pressure is likely to intensify into a depression on December 2. However, there is no clarity over cyclonic formation as yet.