Heavy rainfall has triggered a flood emergency in Nuapada district, Odisha, submerging the Palsada Bridge and cutting off the crucial Boden–Khariar road.
Local authorities, including SDPO Upendra Pradhan and Police Officer Dilip Kumar Sahu, rushed to the site and suspended all traffic to prevent loss of life. Police have warned that rising water levels could lead to further devastation.
The flood has severely impacted agriculture across the district. Continuous rains since early October have inundated vast stretches of farmland, especially in Komna block’s Kandetara and Malapada villages. Over 200 farmers reported extensive damage to paddy, cotton, and maize crops. Paddy fields, nearing harvest, were submerged, causing premature shedding and rotting. Cotton and maize crops suffered fungal infections due to excessive moisture.
Farmers expressed deep concern over the loss of their kharif crops. “We worked hard all season, but the rain destroyed everything,” said a farmer from Kandetara. The situation worsened in Khanda Dhua canal areas, where over 200 acres of farmland remain underwater. Despite the scale of destruction, the Agriculture Department delayed its response. Only after pressure did Panchayat Agriculture Officer Kabiraj Barik and Revenue Officer Rakesh Kumar Nayak begin field inspections.
Local markets and schools have shut down due to flooding. Emergency shelters are being set up, and NGOs have started distributing food and essentials. However, access remains difficult. Experts warn that continued rainfall could escalate the crisis, and farmers are urging immediate government intervention.
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