Kendrapara Farmers Reeling as Floods Wipe Out 10,000 Hectares of Crops
(OT Webdesk)Torrential monsoon rains have devastated Kendrapara district’s Aali block, submerging over 10,000 hectares of paddy fields across 34 panchayats.
The rising waters of rivers like Chitrotpala, Luna, Karandia, Gobari, and Brahmani have triggered widespread flooding, leaving thousands of farmers in financial ruin.
Many had taken loans to cultivate their land, only to see their crops washed away. “I borrowed money from the bank to grow paddy, but the floods washed away everything,” said a distressed farmer from Aali.
The crisis extends beyond Kendrapara, with similar losses reported in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur.
Despite efforts by the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), farmers say relief is inadequate. They’re demanding compensation, loan waivers, and long-term flood mitigation.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced schemes for relief, but implementation remains slow.
Locals are calling for permanent solutions like embankment strengthening and resilient infrastructure to combat recurring disasters.
