Samba crop in over 3,000 acres submerged in Thanjai
TIRUCHY: Samba crop in over 3,000 acres submerged after the Kannanaru had a breach on Monday in view of heavy downpour in Thanjavur district for the past few days.
As the northeast monsoon has been intensified during the past few days due to the fresh depression formed in the region and as per the data till Monday 7 am, the district witnessed a total downpour of 237 mm with the maximum rainfall of 48.20 mm at Neivasal.
Due to the incessant rainfall, the waterbodies across the district were full and water flow was heavy at Kannanaru adjacent to the checkdam at Kadathangudi from Sunday late hours.
However, during the wee hours of Monday, the flow of water increased further that resulted in a breach and the entire water flew into the paddy field at Chokkanavur and Periyakottai areas where samba and thaladi were cultivated in around 3,000 acres land and the entire crop has submerged.
On receiving information, District Collector Gondarao visited the spot and took urgent measures to prevent flood water from flowing further into the fields. The PWD and Revenue officials were instructed to camp on the spot and repaired the breaches while, the bridge across the Kannanaru was washed away and the traffic in the region was totally affected.
Meanwhile, the farmers charged that there was no proper desilt programme in the region and so several thousands of the paddy cultivated were submerged in the water. The farmers claimed that at least 500 acre land in Vandayar Iruppu, Kattur, Karaimeendar Kottai and Varavukkottai were damaged.
The farmers further claimed that proper desilt programme at Vallam drain would have saved the crops. They also stressed that the officials should enumerate the crop damage and help them receive the crop damage compensation.