Kalbaishakhi rain leaves trail of destruction; 500 acres of tomato crops destroyed in Balasore

Unseasonal Kalbaishakhi rainfall has left behind a trail of destruction in Rasalpur area under the Sadar block of Balasore district, devastating local agriculture and pushing hundreds of tomato farmers into deep distress. What began as a hopeful season for farmers has turned into a nightmare, as the heavy downpour not only flattened fields but also submerged vast stretches of tomato cultivation.

According to local sources, around 500 acres of tomato cultivation had been taken up in Rasalpur and surrounding villages this year. Farmers, banking on a good harvest, had invested heavily in seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation with the hope of earning profits in the coming weeks. But nature had other plans. The sudden and intense Kalbaishakhi or Nor’wester rain washed away their expectations overnight.

“Whatever crops were ready for harvest, all of them have been damaged. It will be very difficult to sell them,” said a farmer.

Another farmer said, “Due to stagnation of water, the standing crops in my 30 acres of land have been destroyed.”

Fields that once bore lush green tomato plants are now waterlogged. In many areas, tomatoes can be seen floating in stagnant water, while in others, entire crops have rotted due to prolonged submersion. 

“We had put all our savings into this crop. Now everything is lost,” said a devastated farmer from Rasalpur village.

Farmers Blame Poor Drainage System

The situation has worsened due to poor drainage facilities in the region. Locals allege that the canals and natural outlets meant to drain excess water had not been cleaned for years, which led to water accumulation in the farmlands. The absence of quick drainage has caused the tomato roots to rot and the plants to wither.

Experts say that unless immediate measures are taken to pump out the water and clear the drainage system, the remaining crops may also be lost. 

“Even if the rain stops, the damage is already done. If the water stays for even a couple more days, there is no scope for recovery,” warned an agricultural officer from the area.

Farmers are now demanding compensation from the Odisha government for the crop loss and urgent steps to restore the drainage system to prevent future disasters. Local leaders have also appealed to district officials to conduct a ground-level survey and provide immediate relief.
As climate unpredictability continues to increase, incidents like these underline the urgent need for better infrastructure and support systems for farmers, who remain vulnerable to nature’s fury despite their hard work and dedication.

(By Chandrakant)