Bhubaneswar, Oct. 29 -- Cyclone Arnab caused damage to paddy crops across several parts of Malkangiri district, leaving farmers worried about losses just weeks before the harvest. Although the district did not suffer major damage overall, strong winds and rain flattened standing paddy plants, while some ripe and unripe crops remain submerged in water.

Farmers said that crops that were expected to be ready for harvest within a week or two got flattened and mixed with mud. They were trying to salvage what remains by pulling paddy plants out of the water and tying them into bundles to limit further losses.

Rain continued from midnight until 6 am on Thursday, damaging paddy fields across the district. Although rainfall in Malkangiri was rec...