Flooding on the Barhi River destroyed maize and paddy crops worth ₹6 lakh (approximately $1.2 million) across 15 acres belonging to more than nine farmers in Amaad village. Now, farmers are worried about repaying moneylender loans of over ₹2 lakh (approximately $2.2 million). In Devbhog's Amlipadar tehsil, maize crops worth ₹40 lakh (approximately $4.2 million) were destroyed across more than 100 acres of land along the riverbanks.
Despite the monsoon's withdrawal, torrential rains over the past four days have devastated farmers' crops. More than nine small farmers, including Mohan BC, Shatrughan Nagesh, Tulsi Nagesh, Ganesh Pond, Pushtam, Laxman, Naresh, and Vinod, had planted maize on the floodplains of the Barhi River. Approximately 15 acres of maize were cultivated, and the farmers had also taken out moneylender loans of approximately ₹2 lakh (approximately $2 million). This year, the maize harvest was good. Harvesting was planned for October, but Saturday's river flooding ruined everything. The strong currents uprooted all the plants, destroying the crops before the farmers' eyes. Maize crops worth ₹40 lakh (approximately $1.4 million) were estimated to have been destroyed on the floodplains along similar riverbanks in the Devbhog and Amli Pader tehsil areas of the district.
Farmers Mohan and Pushtam, grieving the loss, said they were preparing to harvest the ripe maize and sell it raw in the market, but that wouldn't even cover their principal. They said they had taken out loans from moneylenders at 2 to 5 percent interest rates for fertilizer, seeds, and weeding. Forget about profit, repaying the loans would be difficult. Farmers are demanding compensation for their crop losses in this disaster.
The Odisha government constructed a 30-meter box culvert bridge 10 years ago to connect the people of Chandhandi block in Nabarangpur district with Kalahandi. This made it easier for Odisha residents to travel to Kalahandi via Khapardih, Amad, and Devbhog. The bridge structure was built on Chhattisgarh territory. Farmers had been protesting the construction of this bridge from the beginning, but no one listened. Whenever the river floods, Chhattisgarh farmers have to pay the price for the convenience of Odisha residents by losing their crops.
Over 100 Acres of Crops Destroyed
This rain has destroyed crops worth over 40 lakh rupees on maize, paddy, and vegetable fields spread across more than 100 acres, not only along the Barhi River but also along other rivers and streams in the Devbhog tehsil area. The affected farmers have declared this a natural disaster and demanded appropriate compensation and crop damage.
Devbhog Tehsildar Ajay Kumar Chandravanshi informed that reports of damage to crops and houses are coming in after the continuous rain. With guidance from higher officials, a team of Patwaris will be formed to assess the damage by area and submit a report.
These flood photos also shocked everyone. Despite the Triveni Sangam overflowing, people risked their lives to take selfies and take reels. Meanwhile, the life-threatening necessity of crossing the Belat Nala, the only road leading to the Devbhog tehsil headquarters, was also clearly visible. Dozens of accidents have occurred in the past three days while crossing this drain. There are no safety measures in place, and people are fending for themselves.
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