Odisha farmer dies after 'unseasonal rain damages paddy crop'

In a heart-wrenching incident, a 75-year-old farmer from Dungara village under Biraramchandrapur Panchaya in Puri district died allegedly after witnessing the damage to his crops caused by continuous rainfall.

The deceased has been identified as Purnachandra Dalei. 

As per reports, Dalei went to his farmland to see the condition of his paddy crops this morning. What he saw was beyond his imagination.

Also Read: Low pressure-induced untimely rain leaves Odisha farmers in lurch 

The entire farmland had reportedly been inundated. 

Eyewitnesses recount that upon seeing the extensive damage, Dalei was so overwhelmed with distress that he fainted. He was rescued and rushed to nearby Satyabadi hospital where the doctor pronounced him 'brought dead.' 

His daughter-in-law claims the shock of discovering his ruined crops led directly to his untimely demise. 

“My father-in-law and my husband went to our farmland to release accumulated rainwater. Seeing the amount of water, he lost his senses and collapsed there. He was immediately rushed to hospital where the doctor said he was received dead,” said the deceased’s daughter-in-law while sobbing. 

Although the family has made assertions regarding the circumstances leading to Dalei's death, no comments were received from the local authorities.

Notably, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday announced that the evaluation of crop damages caused by the recent rainfall would be concluded within three to four days and compensation to affected farmers would be disbursed on the fifth day. He has instructed the Collectors of the affected districts to carry out thorough assessments promptly.