Berhampur, Nov. 5: Torrential rain over the past five days, triggered by cyclone Nilam, is posing a serious threat to paddy, cotton and other crops in Ganjam district.

Sources said though the actual damage could be assessed only after the water recedes, preliminary reports reveal that rainwater submerged and destroyed 25,510 hectares of crop fields. Out of this, 21,830 hectares were paddy fields.

“Ganjam experienced 232mm of rainfall between November 1 and 5,” said Aparti Sethi, deputy director, agriculture, Ganjam, adding that the damage to crops could be severe if the rain did not stop.

“There was 56 per cent less rainfall in October and the crops needed more rain. However, the excess rainfall over the past five days have caused severe damage to the paddy fields, especially the varieties that are in their ripening stages and ready to harvest,” he said.

Sethi said 4.11 lakh hectares were covered under kharif crop cultivation in Ganjam district. “Despite the damage to other crops, this rain is a blessing in disguise for the rabi crop, which is grown between November and January,” said Sethi.

Extensive damage to cotton crop is also being feared.

Kashinath Khuntia, who handles cotton in the agriculture department, said: “A total of 1,694 hectares is under cotton cultivation in Ganjam. If the rain continues, damage to the crop could be as high as 50 per cent.”

“Many cotton fields are now under water and stagnation of rainwater at this stage is extremely harmful for the crop,” said Khuntia.