Crops in 8,195.65 ha damaged in rain in July

Banana, vegetables, coconut and paddy among worst-hit

The heavy spell of southwest monsoon rainfall over Kerala, especially in the northern districts, in July appears to have left the State’s farm sector in shambles. The sector covering an array of agricultural and cash crops reported heavy crop loss between July 1 and July 26, when finally the rainfall began to taper off, show data with the Agriculture Department. During this period, 43,133 farmers reported crop loss in a total of 8,195.65 hectares, reveal crop-wise and district-wise data for the period compiled by the department. The financial loss will be ascertained through field verification, an official said.