Raipur, Oct. 29 -- Unseasonal rainfall and strong winds under the influence of Cyclone Arnab have damaged paddy crops ready for harvesting in several parts of Chhattisgarh, leaving farmers worried about repaying agricultural loans and meeting their families' expenses.

Intermittent rain over the past two days has affected several regions of the state, including Bastar, Raipur, Bilaspur and Surguja divisions. In Raipur, the sky remained cloudy on Thursday morning, while farmers reported damage to paddy crops that had ripened and were awaiting harvest.

Farmers said strong winds had flattened standing paddy plants, while waterlogging in several fields had increased the risk of further crop damage. They said they had borrowed money to arrang...