Wayanad is an Indian district in the north-east of Kerala state. Widespread damage to crops has been reported due to heavy summer rains and wind that have lashed the district for the past several days. The crop loss has been estimated at ₹510 mln (€5.6 mln), according to preliminary reports of the Agriculture Department.
The rains severely affected crops, especially plantains, vegetables, pepper vines and coconut palms in Panamaram, Cheeral, Edavaka, Thariyode, Kottathara, Padinharethara, Thavinhal, Vellamunda, Muttil, Noolpuzha and Poothadi grama municipalities, said Sajimon, Principal Agriculture Officer, Wayanad. “Rain adversely affected 5,357 farmers in the district and crops cultivated on 817.74 hectares were destroyed,” Mr Sajimon told thehindu.com.
Plantain farmers were the worst hit in the district. As many as 910,152 bunched and non-bunched banana plantains cultivated on 500.6 hectares were uprooted in the winds. An estimated loss of ₹481 mln was reported in the plantain sector alone and 3,788 farmers were affected.