Bhubaneswar, May 3 -- Farmers in Dhamnagar block of Bhadrak district in Odisha reported extensive damage to their rabi paddy crops due to a severe pest infestation. The affected crop, primarily the Taichin variety of paddy, has been attacked by a butterfly pest, leading to widespread losses and growing concern among cultivators.

According to sources, the infestation has caused the paddy grains to dry up prematurely and turn empty, significantly impacting yield at the crucial harvesting stage. Nearly 1,800 hectares of land in the block were under rabi paddy cultivation this season.

The pest attack has been particularly severe in several panchayat areas, including Raipur, Palasahi, Kothar, Radhaballavpur, and Dalang, where Taichin paddy i...