More than 800 acres of paddy in danger

By HIRAN PRIYANKARA JAYASINGHE

More than 800 acres of paddy on the verge of harvest has been endangered with crop devastation due to the flood threat in Mahawewa.

Farmers said during the high tide in the Thoduwawa lagoon a heavy inflow of salt water is experienced and the obstructions to the free flow of water resulted in a flood threat causing crop devastation. They pointed out that the neglect of maintenance of canals and storm water drainage system resulted in this state.

Mahawewa is the main paddy producing area in the Puttalam District . A farmer of the area M.Sanjeewa said the paddy cultivation is being ruined by the inflow of salt water. This year we took to paddy cultivation after a long time and expected a bumper harvest. However all our hopes have been shattered by the impending danger of crop devastation.

Farmers requested the authorities to erect a break-water to prevent the inflow of salt water and to urgently renovate the storm water canals and the drainage system.