Cuttack, Sept 28: Farmers in several parts of Cuttack district are facing fresh crop losses as the Mahanadi and Kathajodi River witness a second flood within one-and-a-half months.

The latest flood is not very severe and has not caused major damage to houses or villages. However, it has badly affected paddy and vegetable crops in Banki and Athagarh subdivisions.

Around 7.54 lakh cusecs of water was flowing through the Mundali barrage by 6 am on Monday. The water flow is expected to rise further and may reach around 7 to 8 lakh cusecs.

The flood has affected farming areas in Badamba, Narasinghpur and Tigiria under Athagarh subdivision, and Banki and Dampada blocks under Banki subdivision. Water has entered paddy fields, while vegetable crops have suffered major damage.

Also Read: Odisha: Mahanadi braces for fourth minor flood of the year, four districts on alert

Farmers in Banki said they are still waiting for government assistance for the losses caused by the previous flood. After the earlier flood, many farmers had started growing vegetables again. However, the fresh flood has damaged their new crops.

Farmers said the repeated floods have made it difficult for them to recover their losses and start farming again.

The administration said a crop damage survey would be conducted after the floodwater recedes. Cuttack Additional District Magistrate Kamaljit Das said farmers who did not receive assistance after the previous flood would be given priority for compensation.

Officials said there is no immediate possibility of a major rise in the Mahanadi and Kathajodi as rainfall in the upper catchment has reduced. However, if more gates of the Hirakud Dam are opened, areas such as Banki and Athagarh could be affected.

Water levels are also expected to rise in rivers and channels including Kathajodi, Kuakhai, Devi, Kushabhadra and Daya.