West Bengal worries about damage to crops, effect on land fertility

KOLKATA: The state is worried about the invasion of saline water into farmland that might destroy standing crops and cause long-term damage to land fertility.
"As the cyclone coincides with new moon high tide, we are anxious about the stability of embankments. If the water overflows, there will be loss of standing crops, washing out of fisheries, and damage to property and livestock. We have asked the district authorities to ensure least possible damage," said an irrigation officer.
Pradip Majumdar, state panchayat minister, said the government had asked farmers to remove crops. "We are keeping watch on the situation and started our control room for support to the rural population. We will evaluate the situation soon," Majumdar said.
A lot of people living near embankments or low-lying areas have been shifted with their livestock. "We hope the damage will be minimum," said an official overseeing rescue and rehabilitation in the Sundarbans.