Will rain prove double whammy for distressed Odisha farmers?

Bhubaneswar: While farmers in Odisha have already suffered a lot due to drought and pest attack in several places across the State, the latest rain forecast across as many as 17 districts is likely to make the situation worse.

Director of regional meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, Sarat Chandra Sahu informed that Odisha may witness moderate to heavy rainfall between November 15 and 18 due to the effect of a low pressure forming around South-East Bay of Bengal.

The announcement has posed a serious threat to paddy crops ready to be harvested in the State.

Though it is very early to estimate the damage in case of rain, it will severely affect the paddy harvest and procurement process in the State.

Also Read: Rainfall likely in Odisha from Nov 12: Met department

For farmers, it would become a herculean task to harvest, stock and sell paddy within a short span of time.

Taking these issues into account, the IMD has advised farmers to shift their harvested paddy to safe places to avoid any type of damage. Farmers whose crops are ready to harvest, should harvest the same immediately and store safely, it said.

Besides, Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty said that all the district collectors have been issued an advisory and directed to closely monitor the situation.