SALEM: Farmlands in Kannankurichi town panchayat have been submerged in rainwater following the continuous downpour in the district for the past couple of days. Farmers said the standing crops have started damaging, as the water was stagnating on agriculture lands.
Karpagam village, where flowers such as jasmine, marigold, chrysanthemum, cockscomb, crape jasmine, crossandra, ghanera, oleander and winter jasmine were cultivated on 300 acres, was the most affected by the recent showers.
S Gubendiran, a farmer from the village, said it was that time of the year when the demand for flowers would usually go up. “It’s the season for weddings and festivals like Diwali, when people will buy flowers in large quantities. We had planted flowering plants expecting a bumper harvest. The continuous rain has shattered all our dreams.”
The farmers have requested the district administration to assess the damage to their crops through the horticulture department and compensate them for their losses. “We could at least repay our loans if we get some compensation from the government,” they said.
A meteorological department official, meanwhile, said the district had received more rainfall this month compared to the same period in previous years. He said the district had received 305.4mm rain on October 20, 84.8mm on October 19, 288.8mm on October 17 and 103.8mm on October 16.
“The district will receive more rain in the coming days after the onset of northeast monsoon,” the official said.
