'The Kharif sowing has slowed down in the past few days due to excessive rainfall in parts of the state,' agriculture and food production director Arabinda Kumar Padhee told IANS.

The flash floods have submerged nearly 7,000 hectares including 6,400 hectares in the district of Nayagarh and 250 hectares in Jagatsinghpur district.

He said farmers who have suffered losses would be suitably compensated by the government.

Heavy rains have also slowed down the cargo handling operation in Paradip port, about 120 km from here, a senior port official said.

'The cargo shipment and discharge has been affected slightly for past two-three days,' said the official, who did not want to be named.