Canals Run Dry, Farmers Face Water Crisis in Kendrapara

A large number of farmers in Kendrapara and nearby areas are staring at a severe agrarian crisis due to the delay in release of water into major canals of the coastal district.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Kendrapara

Every year, farmers receive irrigation water through Kendrapara, Pattamundai, Jamboo and Marsaghai canals in the first week of January to raise vegetables, green gram (moong) and other crops. But in a deviation from the annual practice this year, there is no sign of water in the canals despite it being mid-January.

Narahari Behera of Choti village said, "Many farmers lost ripe paddy crops due to the untimely rain last month. Now, the delay in supply of irrigation water in Pattamundai canal has put us in trouble."

Farmers of the village said the dry canal bed has turned into a playground for the local youths.