Bhubaneswar, Dec. 9 -- Paddy cultivation in Odisha's Kalahandi was severely affected due to an unseasonal spell of rain that occurred on Sunday. With paddy mandis yet to be opened, farmers in the district are in utter distress and many of them expressed their anguish on Monday.

According to sources, the local farmers began harvesting their paddy crops on November 29 and were in the process of drying them. Drying the crop ahead of procurement is essential to maintain the requisite level of moisture. The harvesting is still underway in some places. However, the untimely rain has disrupted these efforts, submerging hectares of farmland. Harvested paddy as well as those in the farmlands has been severely impacted.

The already harvested padd...