Continuous summer rain over the past three days in Nagapattinam district has affected cotton cultivation in parts of Thirumarugal union, with rainwater stagnating in fields and raising concerns among farmers over possible crop damage.

Rainfall was reported from midnight across Thirumarugal, Alathur, Eravancheri, Marungur, Neikuppai, Thirukannapuram, Ambal, Polagam and surrounding areas in the union. Several parts of the district have been receiving widespread summer showers for the past three days.

Farmers in Thirumarugal union have cultivated cotton extensively as a summer crop. The crop is currently in the flowering and boll formation stage. However, many farmers are yet to carry out earthing-up operations in the fields. With continuous rainfall, rainwater has stagnated between the cotton plants in several fields, affecting crop growth, farmers said.

“Flowers that had bloomed on the cotton plants are falling due to the rain. This may lead to a considerable drop in yield,” said R. Shiva, a cotton farmer. P. Kathir, another cotton farmer, said prolonged water stagnation could lead to root rot in the crop and cause heavy losses to cultivators. “If the rain continues, farmers will be severely affected,” he said.