Rain destroys harvested and standing paddy in Thanjai

Widespread rains that began in most parts of Thanjavur district from Tuesday late evening continued till Wednesday morning. Showers continued in some pockets in the day too. Areas like Pazhiachianallur, Vedumangudi, Puliyadi, Sankarankudi, S- Pudhur in Thiruvidaimarudhur block near Kumbakonam received heavy downpour in which around 300 acre summer crop that was ready for harvest submerged and same was the condition in Thirukattupalli and Vinmangalam areas. “We have cultivated Aduthurai 43 variety rice, a summer crop for which we have spent at least Rs 20,000 per acre so far. All the crops nearing harvest stage have now submerged,” said A Selvagurunathan from Pazhiyanchiyanallur.

He said that there was a storm water drain adjacent to the field, but the entire line was blocked due to vegetation preventing the flow. “Usually, this drain will be desilted under the MGNREGS. This year no work has been done and the village has turned the victim”, Selvagurunathan said. Meanwhile, the farmers who harvested the summer crop have been waiting for their turn in the DPCs at Papanasam and they had stocked along the roads due to shortage of space. The continuous heavy rains had soaked and damaged the paddy. “We need to dry the paddy for at least one week so as to meet the required moisture condition. It has happened due to the slow process of procurement in the DPCs”, K Sundarajan a farmer from Ganapathy Agraharam near Papanasam said.