Cyclone Dana triggers severe damage to standing crops & vegetable cultivation in Kendrapara, farmers in distress

Apart from the damage to several houses and power infrastructure due to the uprooting of huge trees by the gusty wind, Cyclone Dana has also triggered severe damage to the standing crops and vegetable cultivation in Kendrapara district.

The severe cyclonic storm made its landfall near Habalikhati nature camp under Rajnagar block in the district. The fury of the cyclone has caused widespread damage in the area. While thousands of huge trees have been uprooted in the area causing damage to the thatched houses, livelihood of the farmers has also been severely affected. 

Several acres of land with standing crops and vegetable cultivation at Satabhaya, Bagapatia, Petha and Talachua gram panchayats under Rajnagar block have been inundated in knee-deep water due to the widespread rain triggered by the cyclonic storm. Farmers in the areas are crestfallen fearing that the crops and vegetable cultivation will perish soon and their livelihood will be at stake.

“The paddy crop was bearing fruits. However, those are going to perish soon as the farmlands are inundated in knee-deep water,” rued a farmer.

“Following severe damage to the crops, we are helpless now. How will we make our ends meet and pay our loans?” asked another farmer.

As many as nine blocks and two Municipalities of Kendrapara district have been severely affected by the cyclonic storm. Moreover, it will be difficult to assess the damages inflicted by the cyclone in 29 gram panchayats under Rajnagar block.

Efforts are underway by the Energy Department to restore electricity services in the block on a war footing. Meanwhile, several places in Bagapatia area are inundated with excess rainwater and people have been stranded amid waterlogging. The district administration is reportedly preparing a master plan to drain out water from the area.

“As per the direction of the Chief Minister, we have set a target to restore electricity services in all the places of the district till night,” said Kendrapara Collector Smruti Ranjan Pradhan.

Pattamundai block also experienced severe damage to paddy crops and vegetable crops due to the cyclonic storm. Residents of Juania Gram Pachayat under Aul block are fully dependent on cultivation. However, severe damage to the crops and vegetable farming has hit their livelihood hard.

“We had grown vegetables like brinjal, tomato, chilly and Cauliflower in our farmlands. However, those have been completely destroyed due to the incessant rain for the last three days,” rued a farmer in Aul. 

“We had spent a lot in growing vegetable crops and were hopeful of a good harvest. However, everything has been destroyed due to heavy rain and gusty wind. How will we feed our children now?” asked another farmer in the area.

Meanwhile, BJP National Vice-President and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda on Saturday visited several parts of the district to take stock of the devastation caused by the severe cyclonic storm Dana.

Despite rainfall, the senior BJP leader visited door-to-door by covering around 60kms in Rajnagar block and took stock of the damage. He also listened to the woes of people and held discussions with the rescue teams engaged in the relief and restoration works. He assured people that he would discuss with the administration and expedite the process so that help from the government would reach the affected people soon.