Bhagalpur: The impact of the cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’, which originated in the Bay of Bengal, has become clearly visible in the Bhagalpur district.
Intermittent rain and strong winds over the past two days have caused extensive damage to paddy crops across various blocks of the district.
Paddy crops, which were ripe and ready for harvest, have been flattened by strong gusts of wind, leaving farmers deeply disheartened. Having experienced a favorable monsoon this year, farmers were anticipating a bumper harvest; however, this sudden natural calamity has dashed all their hopes.
In most parts of the district, the paddy crop is currently fully mature, and preparations for harvesting were already underway in many areas. With the crops flattened in the fields due to rain and high winds, there is a significant risk of the grains shedding from the panicles. Furthermore, waterlogging in the fields will increase moisture levels in the fallen crops, raising concerns that the grain quality may deteriorate or that the produce might begin to rot.
Rajkumar Panjiara, a farmer from Jagdishpur, shared that he had toiled throughout the year to cultivate this crop, which had promised an excellent yield. He had hoped to sell the harvest around Diwali to repay his debts, but the rain has ruined everything. Now, he is left with neither enough grain for his own consumption nor any clear path to repay the money he owes to his creditors.
The government should immediately conduct a survey of the damage and provide compensation. Meanwhile, agricultural experts have advised farmers—especially those who have already harvested their crops—to move them to safe, dry locations immediately. Any grain kept in the open should be covered with tarpaulins. Before storing the grain, it must be thoroughly dried to prevent the growth of fungus caused by moisture. Make immediate arrangements to drain water from fields where it has accumulated. Distressed by this sudden loss caused by the cyclone, farmers are now appealing to the government and the district administration for compensation. The farmers state that they had taken loans from banks and cooperative societies to cover the costs of seeds, fertilizers, and land preparation. If the government does not promptly assess the crop damage and provide financial assistance, they will face a severe livelihood crisis.
