Strong winds accompanied by heavy unseasonal rain at the end of April 2026 caused extensive agricultural damage across parts of Dindigul and Theni districts. Harvest-ready paddy fields were flattened, while banana, mango, coconut, maize, lemon and drumstick crops were damaged or uprooted. Agriculture and Revenue Department officials subsequently began inspecting affected farms to assess the losses.
In Dindigul district, some of the worst paddy damage was reported around Balasamudram, Kurumpadi, A. Kalaimuthur and Thamaraikulam near Palani. Farmers said two spells of rain and strong winds on April 30 damaged crops that were only days away from harvest. One farmer from Thamaraikulam said he had invested more than ₹1.5 lakh in a four-acre paddy field and had expected to harvest during the second week of May before the crop was flattened.
The Palani region, known for cultivating mattai arisi rice that is also traded with buyers in Kerala, suffered substantial losses. Farmers had reportedly spent more than ₹30,000 per acre on fertilisers, sowing, field preparation and other cultivation expenses after planting during October–November. Because the crop was almost mature, the storm struck at a particularly damaging stage of the season. Maize fields in Ponnapuram and parts of Balasamudram were also affected.
Damage was not limited to paddy. In Sirumalai, officials reported that several dozen acres of banana plantations, drumstick crops and lemon trees had been damaged by the severe weather. Separate reports also indicated that around 800 acres of paddy in the Palani area were inundated or flattened, while banana, coconut and maize cultivation sustained losses.
Theni district also experienced major damage. In villages across Periyakulam taluk, mango and coconut plantations were hit, with approximately 80 mango trees and 90 coconut trees reportedly uprooted. Banana plantations growing red and Nendran varieties were damaged in areas including Uthamapalayam, Surulipatti and Kamayagoundanpatti.
A follow-up assessment showed that Theni was among the hardest-hit districts for banana cultivation, with gusty winds reportedly damaging plantations across at least 2,000 acres. Farmers who had spent months raising the crop said the destruction came close to harvest, leaving them facing significant losses with little opportunity to recover their investment from the damaged plants.
Farmers and their associations urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide compensation and crop-insurance assistance. At a later farmers’ grievance meeting in Theni, growers specifically asked authorities to ensure compensation for damaged coconut and banana crops and help them obtain insurance settlements without prolonged delays.
Agriculture and revenue officials said inspections of the affected areas had been carried out and that additional verification of land and crop records would be completed before determining relief. Officials said appropriate action would follow once the final extent of crop damage was established.