Sullia: Thunderstorms that lashed parts of Sullia on May 13 evening, damaged agriculture and horticulture crops to a large extent. Fortunately, no loss of lives has been reported.
Areca, banana and rubber plantations were worst hit as thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds uprooted many trees and swept away polythene roofing sheets meant for drying areca nuts, thereby drenching dried areca totally.
Several electric poles got uprooted and transformers were damaged due to thunderstorm resulting in the disruption of power supply in the region. Honey boxes tied to the rubber trees came down and many cattle sheds were also damaged.
“More than 100 areca and 20 rubber plants were uprooted and broken in my plantations”, said T R Sureshchandra, a farmer of Kalmadka, reacting on the losses.
“The area received around 5 cm rainfall and the damage is extensive”, said P G S N Prasad, progressive farmer from Balthila village of Sullia Taluk.
