Continuous drizzle and intermittent showers reported in Kariyapatti taluk have destroyed standing shallot (small onion) crops in some of the villages.
Even as Cyclone Burevi has been a disappointment for Virudhunagar district with no significant rain, the drizzle has ensured that prolonged wet condition has led to rotting of the crop.
T. Muthuraj (43) of S. Maraikulam had raised shallot on two acres under trying condition. The 50-day-old crop would have been ready for harvest in another 10 to 15 days.
“We would have made a profit of around ₹3 lakh for all the investment and hard work,” said his wife, M. Muthupillai (35). But, now the family of four, including two girl children, faces debts.
The seed itself cost them around ₹1 lakh. Besides, they had spent at least ₹30,000 for pumping water from a farmer’s well in their neighbourhood.
“After spending around ₹2 lakh, we stare at a total crop loss,” she said.
Deputy Director (Horticulture), P. Radhakrishnan, said that…