Torrential rains over the last few days have dealt a severe blow to agriculture in Sivaganga district, flattening acres of mature kuruvai paddy and sugarcane crops that were on the verge of harvest.The worst-affected areas include the agricultural belts across Kora and Kallar regions, where heavy rains have inundated fields.Farmers in these regions have collectively brought over 100 acres of land under paddy cultivation this season alongside extensive sugarcane farming.According to local reports, the kuruvai paddy crop was fully mature and ready for harvest within a few days when the heavy rains struck.The sudden and fierce downpour caused severe lodging (bending of crop stalks) and premature shedding of paddy grains, resulting in widespread crop loss.While some farmers are desperately attempting localised, traditional salvage methods to harvest what remains of the fallen paddy ears, much of the crop has been rendered unfit for harvest.“We spent anywhere between ₹30,000 and ₹35,000 per acre to cultivate this high-yielding kuruvai paddy,” said a distressed farmer.“For sugarcane, our investment runs as high as ₹1 lakh per acre. Seeing the crops destroyed right at the finish line is devastating,” he added. The damage to the sugarcane sector is equally severe.High winds and waterlogging have caused extensive damage to the standing sugarcane crop, breaking the stalks and ruining months of intensive labour.The farmers said the unseasonal heavy rains had left them completely vulnerable, exposed to an immense financial blow during what should have been a profitable season.With their primary source of income washed away and heavy debts looming, the affected farmers have appealed to the State government for immediate relief.The farmers are urging the government to deploy agricultural officials to conduct a swift assessment of the damaged acreage and distribute adequate compensation to help them recover from the distress harvest. Published - June 23, 2026 07:07 pm IST