Shishir Roy ChowdhuryRaipur, Oct. 30 -- With paddy procurement scheduled to begin on November 15, farmers across Chhattisgarh are facing fresh uncertainty after three days of unseasonal rain and strong winds damaged standing crops in several parts of the state. For many cultivators, this is the second setback in barely a month.
Rain triggered by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal had already damaged crops. The latest spell, associated with Cyclone Arnab, has compounded their losses just as they were preparing for the harvest.
In several parts of rural Chhattisgarh, strong winds have flattened standing paddy crops. Waterlogging and prolonged moisture have raised fears of grain deterioration and rotting of paddy panicles. Harvesting h...