Hungry Vamsadhara gobbles up land, farmers' livelihoods

Not only do its unforgiving waters eat up riparian farmlands, but a meandering Vamsadhara has also turned into farmers' sorrow by redrawing borders between them and their livelihoods

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Large swathes of agricultural land in Gajapati district's Kashinagar block are being steadily consumed by the Vamsadhara owing to change in course of the river.

Despite the presence of three mega irrigation projects along the river intended to facilitate water supply to farmlands, farmers in the region are facing increasing losses.

Hundreds of acres of cultivable land have been consumed by the river, severely affecting the livelihoods of many farming households. Locals recall the devastating floods of 1980, during which the river had changed its course engulfing significant portions of farmlands along its banks. That trend continues till date, with the river steadily eroding its banks and swallowing farmlands.