INARUWA, September 1: Dev Narayan Yadav of Koshi rural municipality-6, Sripujabdi in Sunsari had cultivated pointed gourds in 25 kattha of land. But, the flood that took place on last August 11 had dashed his hope to make money from the vegetable farming. 

The disaster in no time inundated the crops and ruined its yields. 

He is in deep shock on how to eke out livelihood of his family after the disaster damned his only source of income. Dilip Yadav of the same locality also has the same story to tell. He had cultivated pointed gourds in 10 kattha of land.

The entire cultivated area was waterlogged for four days which destroyed the crops. 

He is also worrying how to manage daily household expenses with the blow of nature to his farming. 
Similar to the worrisome of Yadav duo, hundreds of local farmers are frustrated with their crops drying up due to flood-triggered inundation in the area. 

It may be noted that the outburst of the eastern embankment of the Koshi River before nine 
years had completely affected the settlements in the then Sripurjabdi, Haripur and Paschimkushaha VDCs of Sunsari wile Laukahi VDC was partially affected. 

Most of the then flood-affected area was turned into dry land where local farmers have been using as an alternative land for cultivating pointed gourd. 

But, the disaster this time has given a huge blow to their struggle for livelihood, said Dilip Yadav, 
a local. The local farmers demanded the state provide support to the vegetable producers for livelihood when their only source of income is in crisis.