Cyclone Ditwah in early December uprooted nearly 1,500 banana trees in Aaru Paadhi village and flooded about 37.1 hectares of farmland in Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. The storm affected 48 farmers and struck just before the Karthigai Deepam harvest, worsening economic losses. State horticulture teams are assessing damage; compensation is available when over 33% of a crop is lost. Farmers urge quicker action, better insurance access, and wind-resilient practices to cope with increasingly frequent storms.
Cyclone Ditwah Ravages Tamil Nadu Banana Farms; Farmers Say 'Losses Are Massive'
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Severe winds and heavy rains from Cyclone Ditwah in early December flattened thousands of banana trees in Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu, leaving growers facing substantial losses and a threatened harvest season.
Damage and Local Impact
Local outlet ap7am reported that Ditwah brought intense rain and gusting winds across parts of the state. In Aaru Paadhi village alone, nearly 1,500 banana trees were uprooted when the storm swept through Tharangambadi taluk. Officials say the district typically has about 511 hectares under banana cultivation; the storm inundated roughly 37.1 hectares and directly affected 48 farmers who rely on bananas as a primary income source.
The timing was particularly damaging: many plantations were in the final growth stage and were being readied for harvest ahead of the Karthigai Deepam festival, when demand and prices usually rise. One grower, Mayilswami of Aaru Paadhi, estimates his losses exceed 100,000 rupees (about $1,112) and described the damage as 'massive.' He and other farmers say similar severe weather strikes their area roughly every two years, making recovery difficult.
Assessment, Compensation and Farmer Concerns
State horticulture teams are conducting field assessments. A senior department official told ap7am that compensation is available for farm owners whose crops suffer losses greater than one-third (33%) of their cultivated area. Teams are documenting damage to determine eligibility, but farmers warn that slow action could jeopardize the next planting cycle.
'Farmers are struggling to recover from repeated crop losses. We request the government to provide fair and timely compensation,' said Mayilswami.
Broader Consequences and Long-Term Needs
Banana plants are particularly vulnerable to strong winds and waterlogging, so more frequent or intense storms translate into recurring setbacks for growers. For consumers this disruption can mean tighter supply and higher prices in coming months. For smallholders, repeated crop failures threaten long-term viability.
Farmers and officials alike are calling for faster compensation processing, wider access to crop insurance, adoption of wind-resilient farming techniques, and stronger safety nets to help communities recover from repeated weather shocks. For now, people in Aaru Paadhi are salvaging what they can while awaiting support.
Source: ap7am; reporting from Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu.
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