Cyclone Tauktae: Crops broken, orchards and plantations flattened in Gujarat

The Gujarat authorities has ordered a survey of harm to crops and horticulture reported from throughout the state after cyclone Tauktae flattened mango orchards and banana plantations and broken coconut palms.
“The summer crop was completely damaged and horticulturists have also clocked phenomenal losses. The path that cyclone took is a hub of kesar mango growers. The mangoes that were ready for harvest in the next few weeks have fallen in the high-velocity winds and trees have been badly damaged or have got uprooted. Similarly, coconut palm growers in the coastal regions saw massive damage,” mentioned Sagar Rabari, head of Khedut Ekta Manch.

The stretch from Gir Somnath to Bhavnagar in Saurashtra and South Gujarat areas have been probably the most affected by high-velocity winds and heavy rains.
“Places like Mahuva and Rajula in Bhavnagar district have large banana plantations. Even Kheda, Anand and Bharuch districts have large banana plantations. A number of these farmers have suffered heavy losses,” Rabari added.
The Gujarat authorities has initiated a survey of the crop loss within the cyclone-affected districts. “We have already started the survey work in Botad, Amreli, Junagadh and Gir Somnath to assess the damage to horticulture and agriculture,” mentioned Manish Bharadwaj, secretary of agriculture and farmer’s welfare division.
“The summer crop seems to have been affected. Some of the pulses have been harvested but those standing have been damaged in Gir Somnath and Amreli where mango orchards have also been affected,” mentioned Bhardwaj who’s stationed in Gir Somnath for managing the rescue and aid work.

Farmers in 11 districts within the Saurashtra area that have been on the trail of the cyclone had sown summer season crop in 3.04 lakh hectares this yr, which is round one-third of the full 10.4 lakh hectares underneath summer season crop in Gujarat. Apart from bajra, sesamum, inexperienced gram, groundnut, pearl millet, black gram have been among the summer season crops sown this yr.
In Ahmedabad, the summer season paddy in Sanand, Bavla and Dholka has additionally been broken by the high-velocity winds. Similarly, summer season paddy in Surat and adjoining districts have additionally been broken.
“The cyclonic winds are expected to head north towards Banaskantha later on Tuesday night. These winds have the potential to inflict further damage to summer crops in North Gujarat districts of Banaskantha and Sabarkantha,” Rabari added.