Odisha: Heavy Rains Lash Rayagada, Waterlog Several Areas

Rayagada: As South-west Monsoon covered most parts of Odisha, Rayagada too received relief from the extreme heat as heavy rain lashed different parts of the district for the last two days.

The district emergency office said in the past 24 hours Kashipur block received the highest rainfall of 74.3 mm while Padmapur received 22.2 mm, Kolanara and Rayagada registered 19.6 and 16.8 mm  rainfall respectively. There were no reports of any loss or casualty due to torrential rain, the district emergency office said.

Waterlogging continues to remain a constant problem in Rayagada town as dilapidated drainage system fail to release rainwater. The areas like Main market, Ring Road, Gandhinagar, Kasturinagar and Umashankar Lane are almost marooned due to incessant rain in the past two days. Locals alleged that the authorities are not paying attention to their miseries despite several requests.

District Agriculture Office sources said breaking of monsoon in time will be helpful for khariff cultivation in the district. Around 47,000 hectares will be taken up for paddy cultivation in the district as per current year’s target. Around 12,000 quintals of seeds will be supplied to farmers, the office sources said.

District Agriculture Officer Dushasan Praharaj said the farmers were provided with 7,000 quintals of seeds through different Large Area Multipurpose Societies (LAMPS) and dealers.

The farmers, however, alleged there has been a shortfall of seeds in the rural areas of the district due to lack of coordination by the officials and distributing agencies.