Kallakurichi district has experienced extensive damage due to the impact of Cyclone "Bengal Storm." The areas near the Then Pennai River, including Thirukovilur, Mungilthurai, and Manalurpetai, have suffered significant loss. Thousands of acres of crops have been submerged in water, particularly paddy fields.
The local reservoirs, including the Gomuki, Manimuthar, and various other dams, have filled to their maximum capacity, causing floodwaters to spill into rivers. This has affected the surrounding agricultural lands. While many ponds and lakes in the district have filled up, some water bodies remain dry due to encroachments that block the natural flow of water.
The heavy rainfall on December 12th caused the water levels in reservoirs and other water bodies to reach critical levels. The main crops grown in the region, such as paddy, have been submerged, leading to widespread damage. Other crops like black gram (Ulundu) and maize (makka) have also been severely impacted due to continuous rainfall.
The maize crops, which were in the blooming stage, have collapsed due to the heavy rains, while the black gram crops are submerged, preventing their growth. If rainfall continues, the damage could worsen, severely affecting the district's agriculture and livelihoods.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that many of the drainage channels, which are supposed to carry excess water away from farmlands, are either obstructed or encroached upon, causing water to stagnate and flood the fields. This prolonged waterlogging in agricultural fields is resulting in significant crop loss.
Given that most of the tanks and reservoirs in the district are at full capacity, there is a real risk that more water could breach these barriers, worsening the situation. Farmers are deeply concerned and calling on the local administration to take immediate action to safeguard the crops.
To prevent further damage, farmers are urging the authorities to take immediate measures such as deepening and clearing the blocked water drainage systems, reinforcing weak embankments, and recovering encroached water channels. If timely preventive measures are implemented, it will help protect the crops and minimize the losses caused by the ongoing rains.
The district administration is expected to take necessary actions to mitigate the impact of the floods and protect the crops from further damage. Farmers are hopeful that the authorities will step in to provide timely support and relief.
