Unseasonal rains delays salt production in Thoothukudi

The recent unseasonal rains that lashed the district before ‘Pongal’ has delayed the start of salt production this year as most of the saltpans are still submerged in rainwater. The coastal district, India’s second largest salt producer after Gujarat, produces 25 lakh tonnes of salt every year from saltpans in Vembar, Vaeppalodai, Tharuvaikulam, Ayyanarpuram, Muthaiahpuram, Mullakkaadu, Pazhayakaayal and Arumuganeri. Salt producers would usually start the season with the preparatory works in January every year by rectifying the damages caused by the northeast monsoon to the saltpans between October and December. Subsequently, salt production would start in February and go up to September last week before the onset of northeast monsoon. There will be no production during the northeast monsoon i.e. between October and December.