Farmers in South Bengal, especially those involved in horticulture, are facing concerns due to persistent rainfall. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Calcutta has forecast continuous rainfall, triggered by a low-pressure system over Gangetic West Bengal. This weather pattern is expected to persist for several days, affecting both agriculture and urban life.
A communication from the Meteorological Department stated, "Light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy showers is very likely to continue over West Bengal districts for the next seven days." The situation might improve after a few days, but an orange alert remains for districts like South 24-Parganas, East Burdwan, Hooghly, Bankura, and West Midnapore due to forecasts of heavy rainfall.
The continuous downpour over the past 24 hours has left an impact on agriculture and worsened urban road conditions. Hrishikesh Khanra, deputy director of horticulture in Nadia district, noted, "The spell of rain began last weekend. There has been continuous rainfall during the past two days. If this trend continues for at least three more days, there is a possibility of serious damage to horticulture produce, especially ground crops." Vegetables such as sweet pumpkin, pointed gourd, and certain flowers are reportedly vulnerable. Farmers have been advised to create adequate drainage systems to prevent waterlogging and to use protective measures for saplings of seasonal vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage.
Sagar Das, a farmer, expressed concerns over his fields, stating, "The fields are already damaged because of the rain spell that started last week. Several of my produce items have been damaged because of excess water accumulation."
Despite the challenges, some agricultural experts suggest that the rain may benefit crops like jute, betel, and paddy. Alongside agricultural disruptions, fishing activities along the coastal belt have faced setbacks due to rough seas, impacting the livelihood of local fishermen.
Urban areas experienced waterlogging issues with roads and public facilities. In places like Chandannagar in Hooghly, locals faced challenges due to the rain. Schools remained closed in some areas as premises were waterlogged.
The IMD's latest update indicates the low-pressure area is active, with predicted heavy rainfall in northern districts like Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Alipurduar. These regions are expected to experience rain throughout the coming week, with potential thunderstorms prolonging the disruption across Bengal.
Source: The Telegraph Online
