Malkangiri: With heavy rainfall forecast in Odisha's Malkangiri district due to the approaching Cyclone 'Arnab', farmers are racing against time to harvest their paddy crops and protect their year-long hard work from potential damage.

As the threat of heavy rain looms, paddy harvesting has gathered pace across several parts of the district. Farmers were seen cutting crops and transporting the harvested paddy to safer places before the weather deteriorates.

In some areas, farmers are even cutting crops that have not fully ripened, fearing that continuous rainfall could cause extensive damage.

Farmers fear that prolonged rain during the harvesting season could damage standing crops and leave harvested paddy wet, resulting in substantial financial losses. With significant investments in cultivation at stake, they are trying to bring home as much of their produce as possible before the rain begins.

The district administration, meanwhile, has advised farmers to harvest mature paddy promptly but avoid cutting immature crops unnecessarily. Farmers are also being advised to take appropriate measures to protect harvested paddy from rain and moisture.

NDRF team to be deployed in Kalimela

The Malkangiri district administration has stepped up preparedness to deal with the possible impact of Cyclone 'Arnab'.

A 30-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Kataka, led by a commandant and two subordinate officers, is scheduled to be deployed in Kalimela by Monday night. A 36-member Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team has already reached Mathili and is on standby.

As part of precautionary measures, the District Collector has ordered the closure of all schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in the district until October 29.

The Collector has directed tehsildars to remain alert and ensure the prompt relocation of people living in low-lying areas and kutcha houses to safer locations if required.

The administration has also ordered that the district's four permanent cyclone shelters, along with all temporary shelters, be kept ready to accommodate people in case of an emergency.

Officials and staff across all blocks have been directed to remain alert. Fire services personnel and disaster response teams have also been asked to stay prepared to deal with any eventuality.

Farmers hope to minimise losses

While the administration is making arrangements to tackle the possible cyclone, farmers remain anxious about the fate of their standing and harvested crops. They are hoping that the intensity of rainfall will remain low enough to prevent major agricultural losses.

For many farmers in Malkangiri, the next few days will be crucial as they attempt to save their paddy harvest from the approaching weather system. The extent of the damage, if any, will depend largely on the intensity and duration of the rainfall.