Potangi (Koraput): While farmers in Odisha are already suffering losses on account of the drought since the last few months, Cyclone Gulab caused extensive devastation in Koraput district two days ago.
A large number of farmers of Koraput district’s Pottangi block are yet to receive primary compensation for losses to their crops when the Cyclone Gulab made landfall at Miduguda and Tokali villages near Kalingapatnam town in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.
Though major damage to the public infrastructure including power distribution lines was not noticed, several cultivation lands and large tracts of crops were damaged in the Pottangi block here.
However, farmers are still to receive primary compensation and demanded early compensation as any delay in compensation would demotivate farmers from pursuing farming and agriculture activity.
Finger Millet, Paddy, and Ginger are the most grown products of this region. The cyclone and floods have already washed away standing crops.
While 21 blocks received rainfall above 50 mm, the highest 148 mm was recorded in the Pottangi block of Koraput. According to government sources, a total of 64 houses were damaged due to Cyclone Gulab in the block.
A few roads stretches in the southern districts were overflowing with water while the disaster response forces immediately restored road communication by cutting down uprooted trees.
Reportedly, Odisha suffered little damage as the cyclonic storm, Gulab, crossed the State causing widespread rain in southern districts on Monday.
