Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds caused extensive crop damage across parts of Dindigul district on April 30, 2026, affecting paddy, banana, coconut, maize and drumstick cultivation. Farmers’ representatives said many crops were close to harvest when the sudden weather damaged fields, creating significant financial losses.
In the Palani area, around 800 acres of paddy fields were reported damaged after heavy rain and stormwater affected crops that were nearly ready for harvest. The Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association estimated losses in the area at approximately ₹2 crore and called for immediate inspection by revenue and agriculture officials.
Farmers in Ponnapuram and nearby villages also reported damage to coconut, banana and maize crops. According to the farmers’ association, the storm affected agricultural areas within roughly a five-kilometre radius in parts of Dindigul, with some individual farmers reporting losses of up to ₹5 lakh.
Banana growers were among the worst affected. In Vellodu, Kombai, Ellapatti, Velankannipuram, Karadipatti and Narasingapuram, farmers had cultivated red bananas over more than 100 acres. Around 75 acres of plantations that were ready for harvest were reported completely damaged, with estimated losses reaching about ₹5 lakh per acre.
Paddy farmers in villages including Balasamudram, Puthu Achu, Kurumbapatti, A. Kalaiyamuthur and Thamaraikulam also suffered losses after fields were submerged. Crops valued at nearly ₹2 crore were reported affected in these areas, according to the farmers’ association.
The severe weather also affected people beyond agriculture. On the same day in Palani, strong winds and rain caused a temporary shelter near Idumban Kulam to collapse, injuring 27 devotees, including five children, illustrating the intensity of the storm in parts of the district.
Following the agricultural losses, Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association district president N. Perumal and district secretary M. Ramasamy urged the Dindigul District Collector to arrange an immediate damage assessment and provide compensation to affected farmers. They specifically requested coordinated action from the Revenue and Horticulture Departments so that relief could reach farmers who had lost crops just before harvest.
The incident highlighted the vulnerability of Dindigul’s farming communities to sudden pre-monsoon storms, particularly when mature crops are standing in the fields. Farmers said timely crop-loss surveys, compensation and stronger disaster-relief support would be essential to help them recover from the losses.