JEYPORE: Farmers of Kaliagaon in Jeypore block have been left in the lurch after residents of the neighbouring village reportedly blocked their canal outlets, affecting paddy cultivation over 100 acre of farmland.
The dispute centres around five canal outlets from Phampuni distributary that have been supplying water to farmers for both kharif and rabi seasons. Recently, the Gramya Surakhya Samiti of Phampuni village permanently sealed these outlets, claiming they were illegally constructed in forest areas.
The move has severely impacted the ongoing transplanting process, with paddy saplings withering due to lack of water. Sources said while the authorities of Upper Kolab irrigation project had established a lone canal outlet between Goudaguda and Phampuni village 30 years back, farmers subsequently added four more outlets to ensure adequate water supply to their ayacut areas.
