Heavy rain caused by Cyclone Ditwah submerged nearly 90,000 hectares of farmland across the delta districts over the weekend. Initial estimates show standing paddy crop in low-lying areas have been damaged in Mayiladuthurai (22,151 ha), Karaikal (4,500 ha), Nagapattinam (33,043 ha), Tiruvarur (19,620 ha), Thanjavur (about 6,070 ha), and Pudukkottai (about 4,047 ha) districts, taking the total affected area to around 89,431 ha.
Mayiladuthurai district recorded very heavy rainfall in the 24 hours ending 6.30 a.m. on Saturday, with a total of 70.76 cm and an average of 11.79 cm across six rain gauge stations. Sembanarkoil in Tharangambadi taluk received 17.24 cm, followed by Mayiladuthurai town (14.32 cm), Sirkazhi (13.78 cm), Manalmedu (9.40 cm), Kollidam (9.32 cm), and Tharangambadi (6.70 cm).
Apart from extensive paddy farm inundation, several low-lying coastal habitations along the Tharangambadi–Sirkazhi stretch experienced severe water stagnation, affecting daily life, officials said. R. Prathap, 19, of Sembadaniruppu North Street, was electrocuted on Saturday. The police said an overhead line near Kaliamman temple had snapped and Prathap came into contact with it while riding on his two-wheeler around 10.30 p.m. A case has been registered by the Pagasalai police.
