As the Pongal festival nears, farmers in Tamil Nadu’s coastal delta districts are urging the government to expedite compensation for crops affected by Cyclone Ditwah. They are requesting the prompt release of beneficiary lists and early disbursement of relief funds to alleviate the financial strain caused by significant crop losses. The cyclone, hitting the region in late November, severely impacted standing samba and thaladi paddy crops, especially in Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts, due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging.
Officials in Nagapattinam estimate that about 26,416 farmers qualify for compensation, with crop damage spanning around 38,395 acres, seeking Rs 26.41 crore in relief. Similarly, in Mayiladuthurai, approximately 22,083 affected farmers have reported losses over 38,642 acres, with a compensation proposal of Rs 26.59 crore awaiting approval. Farmers’ groups highlight pending relief for previous crop losses and unresolved crop insurance claims for cotton and paddy.
The delay in payments has intensified financial stress on farming households reliant on timely compensation to prepare for the upcoming cultivation cycle. Farmer representatives are urging the government to ensure that all outstanding compensation and insurance payments are directly credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts before Pongal. They emphasize the crucial need for timely aid to help farmers manage debts, cover cultivation expenses, and sustain agricultural activities in the delta region.
Under the State Disaster Response Fund guidelines, farmers affected by cyclone damage exceeding 33% are eligible for an input subsidy of Rs 17,000 per hectare or Rs 6,880 per acre for irrigated, horticultural, and annual plantation crops, capped at two hectares per farmer. Officials highlight the extensive flooding that submerged crops in Mayiladuthurai (55,789 acres) and Nagapattinam (81,653 acres), underscoring the urgent requirement for timely relief.
