Farmers told to cooperate with officials in survey

Collector T.G. Vinay interacts with farmers at Ayakudi in Dindigul. File photo

Collector T.G. Vinay on Sunday appealed to farmers in the district to cooperate with the officials conducting a survey of the extent of damage due to the Gaja cyclone.

The district witnessed heavy rains on Friday due to the cyclone. Many low-lying areas were inundated. The horticulture crops in many places, particularly on Kodaikanal hills, had suffered maximum damage.

Many standing crops waiting for harvest in about a fortnight in the district too had submerged in rainwater.

The initial survey indicated that close to 300 hectares of horticulture crops raised in Palani, Reddiarchatram, Vedasandur and other pockets had been destroyed. Crops, including hill banana, tomatoes, beans, onion and others, were raised by the farmers.

The Collector said that the farmers could identify their lands and furnish their names, particulars of extent of damage and provide the front page of the bank pass book and a photocopy of Aadhaar.

In case, officials had not visited their lands, the farmers can directly file the details with 0451-1077 toll-free number, or WhatsApp on 75988 66000 or 0451-2460320, he added.