Widespread damage to crops has been reported in the heavy summer rain and wind that have been lashing the district for the past several days.

The crop loss was estimated at ₹25.74 crore, according to preliminary reports of the Agriculture Department.

The rain seriously affected the crops, especially plantains, vegetables, rubber trees, areca nut palms, and coconut palms, in Kaniyampetta, Panamaram, Thariyode, Noolpuzha, Kottathara Padinharethara, Thavinhal, Vellamunda, Muttil, and Poothadi grama panchayats, A. F. Shirly, Principal Agriculture Officer, told The Hindu.

The rain adversely affected 3,489 farmers in the district, Ms. Shirly said.

As per the reports, the rain and heavy wind mainly affected the plantain farmers in various parts of the district. As many as 4,82,395 bunched and non-bunched banana plantains cultivated on 200.08 hectares of land were uprooted in the winds. The reports reveal an estimated loss of ₹25. 14 crore occurred in the plantain sector alone and it adversely affected 2,443 farmers, she said.

Apart from this, 3,271 areca nut palms, 184 coconut palms, and 1,220 rubber trees were uprooted. Rice cultivated on 4 hectares and cassava on 9.8 hectares were destroyed.

Vegetables, including bitter gourd, amaranth, cowpea, pumpkin, cassava, and cucumber on 9.1 hectares in various parts of the district, especially in Mananthavadi taluk, were destroyed in the rain, she said.

Power supply was also disrupted in some parts after branches of trees fell on electric lines.

Source - https://www.thehindu.com