The simmering heat has taken a toll on not only the quantity and quality of drinking water but also dented the hopes of farmers, especially banana cultivators, with the withering of standing crops in around 134.84 hectares.
As the city faces a “40 per cent deficit in summer rain” and an “above normal temperature,” crop loss has been reported from Edava, Venganoor, Thiruvallam, Vellarada, Kattakada, Uzhamalakkal, Ulloor, Tholikkode, Poovachal, Perumbazhathoor, Nagaroor, Athiannoor, Kilimanoor, Attingal, Kazhakuttam, Pothencode, Kulathoor, Maranalloor, Vizhinjam, Vellanad and Chenkal.
Field visits by Agriculture Department officials revealed substantial damage to crops of banana, pepper, rubber and vegetables. Principal Agriculture Officer V. Subha said crops on 134.84 hectares withered due to the prolonged dry spell and unprecedented rise in mercury level. More than 2.5 lakh banana plants wilted completely.
“Only 10 per cent of the farmers who have lost the crops have enrolled for insurance scheme,” Ms. Subha said.
