Heavy rain accompanied by strong wind on Monday destroyed plantains at harvest stage in several hundreds of acres in Gobichettipalayam.
Local sources said the crop suffered damage in over 1,000 acres spread over Kalingiyam, Avvaiyarpalaya, Sellipalayam, Vettaikarankovil and its surrounding villages.
According to farmers, banana cultivation warrants investment of Rs. 1 lakh an acre.
The crop was completely damaged in most of the fields, they said, seeking adequate compensation from the Government.
Farmers said they were in a financial crisis due to unpaid bank loans obtained for raising the crop.
Official sources said Gobichettipalayam recorded 58 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours until 8.30 am on Tuesday.
Other parts of the district also received substantial rainfall.
Erode recorded 45 mm rainfall, Modakurichi 28, Kodumudi 5, Perundurai 26, Chennimalai 66, Kodiveri 17, Guderipallam 55, Sathy and Bhavani Sagar 6.2, Thalavadi 53, Bhavani 21, Kavindapadi 28, Varatupallam 44, and Ammapettai recorded 6.8 mm rainfall.
Man killed
A man was reportedly crushed to death in the debris of a building that collapsed at B.P. Agraharam in the heavy rain that lashed for the second consecutive day in the afternoon hours. Partial collapse of houses was also reported from Velampalayam and Karuthampalayam near Thingalur.
