A day after Erode and surroundings experienced a sudden downpour, farmers had their fingers crossed due to the impact of the rain on paddy fields.
On Thursday, mature paddy plants on swathes of fields on either side of the Kalingarayan canal were found in a slanting position, causing apprehension among farmers about their suitability for harvest in such a condition.
Agriculture Department officials say the slant need not be a matter for concern. The position of the plant is immaterial when combined harvesters are used, M. Selvaraj, Joint Director of Agriculture, said.
Also, the sown paddy varieties DBT, ADT 38 and ADT 39 have long-duration seed dormancy, and do not germinate for a month-long period.
Even the moisture content would dry up as there was no scope for any more rainfall, Mr. Selvaraj said, adding that the productivity of crops appears promising.
Perundurai received the highest rainfall of 28 mm in the last 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Thursday.
Rainfall in other places: Bhavani - 17.6 mm, Erode - 13 mm, Thalavadi - 9 mm, Gobichettipalayam - 8 mm, Bhavani Sagar - 8.2 mm, and Sathyamangalam - 5 mm.
With a depth of 84.87 feet, the storage in Bhavani Sagar Dam was 18.4 tmcft. There was an inflow of 2,890 cusecs.
Discharge of 500 cusecs was made into the Bhavani river, and 1,850 cusecs into Lower Bhavani Project canal.
Agriculture Department officials say there is no need for concern regarding the paddy crop