Nor’wester damages crops over 170 ha

DEOGARH: The nor’wester that has been hitting the district for the last few days has left behind a trail of destruction. The high velocity wind coupled with rain and hail storm has affected crop over 170 hectares (ha) of 506 farmers.

Sources said in the current rabi season, onion, watermelon, sunflower, moong besides vegetables over 241 ha were cultivated. Of this, crops over 170 ha have been destroyed due to nor’wester. In Thianala and Rajmunda villages under Barkote block where sunflower was cultivated over 8.8 ha, plants have been knocked down  due to high velocity wind. The oilseed has also been cultivated over 16 ha in Sugud village under Tileibani block.

Similarly, moong, cultivated over 107 ha in Tarang, Kumala, Dasgharia, Khuntabandh, Kadopada and Rengalbahal villages under Reamal block has been completely destroyed due to the nor’wester. Likewise, onion crop over 60 ha in Kadopda, Rengalabahal, Purukunda,  Nishabira, Kendunali, Jhumpabira and Nilagandia villages in Reamal block has been damaged. Watermelon grown over 25 acres besides vegetable has been badly affected in various villages across the district.

District Agriculture Officer Babaji Charan Behera said a list of farmers who suffered crop damage has been prepared for compensation. The loss will be assessed and submitted to the higher authorities soon, he added.