Untimely rain threatens harvested paddy in Odisha

ROURKELA: Untimely rain under the impact of cyclone Fengal has emerged as a threat to harvested paddy stacked on farmlands and standing ripe crops, sparking panic among farmers of the tribal-dominated Sundargarh district.

While paddy procurement in Sundargarh would start from December 20, all blocks in the district received light to moderate rainfall on Saturday. Though rain stopped after Saturday, overcast condition continues to prevail, leaving the farmers worried.

Farmers said the unseasonal rain, especially during the harvesting season, has become a cause of concern as harvested paddy crops stacked on fields have become soggy. At a few places, the plants have shed ripe paddy grains.