Bhubaneswar, Sept. 6 -- Paddy cultivation in Odisha's Gajapati has been severely affected this year due to scanty rainfall. Several agricultural fields continue remain dry. In Mohana block, including Birikote and Christopur, farmers are facing difficulties as many fields do not have adequate water for ploughing.

In fields where ploughing has already been completed, the situation is equally concerning. The soil developed cracks due to the lack of moisture, while paddy plants have started drying up. Several other fields are yet to be ploughed because of the shortage of water.

The rainfall deficit left hectares of agricultural land without sufficient water. Farmers in the affected areas are struggling to sustain their paddy crops as the dr...