Rain inundates over 80 hectares of horticulture crop in Mayiladuthurai

Heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Ditwah has caused extended harm to horticulture crops crossed Mayiladuthurai district, with the Horticulture Department estimating that 80.25 hectares of cultivated onshore person been inundated. As galore arsenic 111 farmers person been affected, according to a preliminary assessment.

Vegetable growers are among the worst hit, with 32.4 hectares of crops nether water. The affected country includes 10 hectares of tapioca, 7.2 hectares of brinjal, 6.7 hectares of bhendi, 4 hectares of amaranthus, 3.5 hectares of gourds and cucumber, and 7one hectare of greenish chilli. Many of these crops were either nearing harvest oregon astatine highest maturation stage, leaving 49 farmers facing important losses.

Banana plantations person besides suffered terrible damage, affecting 48 farmers. Officials constituent retired that banana, with its agelong harvest duration and precocious input cost, is peculiarly susceptible to waterlogging and upwind damage, and that respective fields adjacent to harvest are apt to endure near-total loss.

P. Prabhakaran, a banana cultivator from Aarupathi successful Tharangambadi taluk, had raised the harvest connected 3 acres, hoping to harvest during the Karthigai Deepam play and successful the pursuing month. However, dense winds connected Saturday nighttime uprooted and toppled a ample fig of plants. “Around 450 banana trees were flattened, and the harvest is beyond recovery,” helium said, adding that portion farmers put successful banana expecting dependable returns, “a azygous spell of utmost upwind each mates of years is capable to hitch retired everything and disrupt our livelihoods.”

Flower cultivators reported losses implicit 5.75 hectares, including 2 hectares of chrysanthemum and marigold, 3 hectares of crossandra and tuberose, and 0.75 hectares of jasmine, affecting 9 farmers. Among plantation crops, 5 hectares — comprising 4 hectares of coconut, 0.5 hectare of turmeric and 0.5 hectare of ginger — person been damaged, impacting 3 farmers.

Horticulture Department officials accidental field-level teams are continuing inspections to steadfast up crop-wise and village-wise harm reports. A consolidated connection volition beryllium submitted to the territory medication for processing compensation nether the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms and applicable harvest security schemes.