Koraput Flooding Disrupts Kharif Farming, Raises Fears Over Food Security
Continuous rainfall across Odisha’s Koraput district has brought kharif cultivation to a standstill, submerging over 5,000 hectares of farmland and severely affecting paddy sowing. The region, especially Jeypore and Kotpad, has witnessed non-stop showers for more than two weeks, disrupting key agricultural operations during a critical window. Waterlogging, river swelling, and house damage are compounding the challenges, prompting alerts from local authorities and raising concerns over potential crop loss and livelihood disruption in the coming months.
The disruption caused by incessant rain since late June has overwhelmed Koraput’s rural agricultural blocks, particularly Jeypore, Kundra, Borigumma, and Kotpad. The Indiravati and Kolab rivers, fed by upstream rainfall, have surged to near-danger levels, flooding surrounding paddy fields during the crucial sowing season. In Kotpad block alone, farming operations across multiple panchayats have ceased due to heavy waterlogging. Large stretches of land lie submerged, making it impossible to commence even basic kharif preparations. Agriculture experts indicate that prolonged exposure of topsoil to stagnant water can degrade soil nutrients and delay transplanting cycles. With no relief from rainfall and irrigation systems overloaded, farmers are unable to plant paddy—a crop that relies heavily on timely sowing and field preparation. Authorities monitoring the situation have placed emergency teams on alert and advised communities in low-lying areas to remain vigilant, as further rainfall could trigger localized flooding and increase agricultural vulnerability.
The flooding has affected not only cropland but also infrastructure and rural housing in Koraput’s more remote blocks, including Dasmantpur, Nandapur, Semiliguda, and Potangi. At least 200 mud-built homes have reported damage amid continuous showers, with field teams struggling to access these areas due to washed-out roads and soft terrain. Emergency management teams are coordinating with block offices to conduct rapid assessments, but data collection remains delayed. Civic officials are also reporting difficulty in deploying repair crews or distributing aid kits due to limited mobility. Agricultural extension officers warn that if the downpour persists, the second sowing window may also be missed, threatening both food production and local livelihoods. Experts stress the importance of real-time rainfall forecasting, watershed planning, and investment in climate-resilient rural infrastructure to safeguard farm-dependent districts like Koraput, which are increasingly vulnerable to erratic monsoon behaviour. Recovery will depend not only on relief efforts but also preventive planning for future seasons.
The ongoing rainfall crisis in Koraput is more than a seasonal disruption—it signals a growing vulnerability in the region’s agro-climatic balance. As farmlands remain waterlogged and emergency response teams work under logistical strain, concerns are mounting over missed kharif cycles, food insecurity, and economic strain on farming communities. Long-term solutions will require integrated flood management, resilient crop systems, and better rural infrastructure. Authorities must act swiftly to not only assess and mitigate current damages but also ensure that future monsoons do not translate into recurring agricultural crises for this rain-dependent, resource-sensitive district.
