Heavy rains, accompanied by whirlwinds, damaged 50,000 banana trees near Bhavani in Erode district on Monday night. Banana plantations spread across 100 acres in Ettikottai, Thalapalayam and Koonakkapalayam villages in Olakadam county have sustained maximum damage. Farmers had planted varieties like red banana, kathali, poovan and nenthiram in their lands.
One farmer from Ettikottai village told timesofindia.indiatimes.com: “Banana trees that were to be harvested in a few days were uprooted. Even trees supported by bamboo poles could not withstand wind.” He had lost 3,000 banana trees spread across three acres.
Farmers who lost their crops urged the district administration to give compensation to their damaged crops. An agriculture department official said the department has started inspections in these villages and will estimate losses to farmers before distributing compensation.
Photo source: Dreamstime.com
