Bhubaneswar, Oct. 27 -- Farmers in Chitrakonda in Odisha's Malkangiri district are harvesting paddy before it ripens fully as heavy rain and the approaching cyclone threaten their crops. Worried about losing their hard-earned produce, they are trying to bring the harvest home before the weather worsens.

Farmers whose fields lie across the river are cutting the premature crops and ferrying them across in makeshift boats. Despite the risks involved in crossing the river, they say they have little choice but to harvest early to protect their livelihood.

The early harvest has left farmers uncertain about how much they will be able to recover from their crops. With the paddy still unripe, they fear that their efforts may not yield much.

"We...