Nabarangpur A devastating fire broke out at Paleyguda, near the local Akhubar, under the Nima Panchayat of Koshtaguda block. According to reports, the fire engulfed over 100 acres of land, including farmlands previously used for cultivating paddy and later used for sugarcane farming. Farmers, who have been dependent on sugarcane cultivation for years, expressed their distress over the incident.
Upon receiving the news, MLA of Nabarangpur, Gaurishankar Majhi, immediately contacted the fire department. He personally visited the affected areas in Derunigundi and Nandahandi blocks. The Koshtaguda Fire Station (16 km away) and the Jeypore Fire Station from Kotpad in Koraput district (5 km away) responded promptly and managed to bring the fire under control.
The fire is suspected to have originated from an electrical short circuit in the fields and quickly spread due to dry weather conditions and strong winds. Some local women noticed the fire while returning home and alerted others. The blaze caused extensive damage to sugarcane crops in over 100 acres of land, affecting many farmers, including:
Govind Majhi – 2 acres
Bhadrak Atmari – 74 cents
Tularam Majhi – 70 cents
Jay Singh Majhi – 84 cents
Gopiram Majhi – 70 cents
Gatamari – 80 cents
Chaitanya Majhi – 40 cents
Rupa Majhi – 40 cents
Soku Mari – 1 acre
Pitambar Majhi – 50 cents
Tumardhar Majhi – 50 cents
Lakshman Majhi – 50 cents
Chamnan Ichha – 50 cents
Padmal Ichha – 50 cents
Jinga Ichha – 50 cents
Kima Panchayat Sarpanch Bas Kalana – 1 acre
The incident has left farmers devastated, as sugarcane is their primary source of income after paddy cultivation. Many had taken loans or mortgaged valuables to fund their farming activities.
MLA Gaurishankar Majhi visited the affected site and expressed his concern over the farmers’ plight. He instructed the local tehsildar to conduct an immediate assessment of the losses. Additionally, he assured farmers that he would discuss compensation measures with the district collector and government officials. Fire Station Officer Prasad Behera from Koshtaguda Fire Station confirmed that the fire was completely brought under control.
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