Clogged canals, irrigation crisis threaten livelihood of Kendrapara farmers

Hundreds of farmers in Kendrapara district are grappling with severe challenges due to water scarcity and irrigation crisis, threatening their livelihood. Blockage of the Kharasrota River's flow due to heavy silt and sludge has disrupted irrigation processes, leaving farmlands parched and crops in jeopardy.

The once fertile farmlands of Aul block in the district now bear a stark dry landscape, illustrating the plight faced by local agrarians. The accumulation of heavy mud and slush in rivers has severely affected water distribution to the farmlands in the area.

Dependent on these water sources for their livelihoods, farmers are witnessing their crops deteriorate with little to no help from the administration. As most of the farmers in the region depend on agriculture and vegetable farming, the water scarcity before the arrival of summer is causing significant concerns among farmers as crop failure looms large.

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Apart from the Kharasrota River, farmers here also depend on several water channels in the area and its tributaries. However, the current drought conditions have left the farmers devastated who rely heavily on the consistent water supply from these canals and rivers. 

As crops continue to suffer due to lack of water, the affected farmers urged the administration to promptly address their issue and restore water regular flow through the canals.

“There are 8-10 canals in our panchayat, but sadly not even one canal is free from silts and mud, affecting the water flow. The stagnant water is heavily toxic and kills our crops. All the farmers here depend on agriculture, but this situation is getting worse day by day,” alleged a farmer Muralidhar Behera.

Likewise, another farmer stated, “The canal waters are so poisonous that they are killing our crops. What will we do, if we stop growing crops or vegetables? Agriculture is our only means of livelihood. The government should do something for us as soon as possible.”

When contacted, the District Collector Smrutiranjan Pradhan said, “We have brought the matter to the notice of the drain division. I will direct them to clean the canals and restore water flow in the area.”