Team Herald
MARGAO: Incessant rains that has been lashing the State for the last few days has adversely affected Salcete farmers as the paddy crop cultivated over 135 hectares has been damaged.
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While the authorities are yet to assess the estimated losses, the farming community here hopes for a dry spell to re-plant rice seedlings.
The continuous rainfall has wreaked havoc in the State resulting in major flooding at many places, including submerging of paddy fields. Farmers from Salcete are now facing bleak prospects, as the low-lying fields still lie submerged under water.
Farmers alleged that haphazard development has led to flooding of fields across several villages in Salcete, besides Bardez and Tiswadi also.
“My field is still under water and now I’m waiting for a dry spell so that I can re-plant the seedlings”, said Peter Fernandes, farmer from Nuvem.
Speaking to Herald, Salcette ZAO Furtado said that major flooding of paddy fields have been reported at Seraulim, Utorda, Majorda, Benaulim, Curtorim and a few other Salcete villages.
“The damages to the farmers are colossal but we have not yet received any claims for compensation from the farmers”, he informed.
Meanwhile, Salcete Mamlatdar Laxshmikant Dessai told Herald that nearly 30 houses were also damaged due to the heavy rainfall.
“There were landslides in several places, the road leading to the Chandreshwar Bhutnath temple was damaged and the roof of the Government Primary School at Chinchinim was blown away with the strong winds”, he informed.
