Banki, Aug. 10 (UDN): The flood situation in parts of Odisha has worsened amid continuous rainfall and rising water levels, leaving homes, roads and large stretches of farmland inundated. In Banki, hundreds of hectares of agricultural land have reportedly gone under water, raising concerns among farmers over extensive crop losses.

Floodwater from the Rana River has inundated the Bilipada-Talabasta road, with water reportedly reaching nearly four feet in some stretches. The flooding has severely disrupted road connectivity and made daily commuting difficult for residents.

Kharif Paddy Crops Under Water

The flooding has dealt a major blow to farmers who had cultivated Kharif paddy this season. Large areas of farmland remain submerged, with standing crops under water for several days.

Vegetable growers have also suffered significant losses. Farmers said prolonged waterlogging has caused standing vegetable crops to rot, leaving them with little hope of recovering their investment.

For residents of flood-prone areas, accessing basic necessities has also become a challenge as roads remain submerged and movement is restricted.

Farmers Demand Crop-Loss Assessment

The affected farmers have urged the government to conduct an immediate assessment of the damage and announce compensation for the losses suffered.

Farmers have expressed disappointment over the alleged lack of field-level assessment by Agriculture Department officials. They claim that officials have not yet visited several affected areas to assess the extent of damage to paddy and vegetable crops.

The farmers are now demanding that officials conduct a door-to-door and field-level survey, identify the affected cultivators and ensure compensation is provided without delay.

Fear of Further Losses

With large areas of agricultural land still under water, farmers fear that the damage could increase if the flood situation does not improve soon.

For farming families already facing financial pressure, the destruction of an entire season’s crop could result in a severe economic setback. They have appealed to the state government to step up relief measures, assess crop damage at the earliest and provide timely assistance to help them recover.

Meanwhile, residents continue to remain on alert as floodwaters affect connectivity and normal life in the affected areas.