For the past two weeks due to incessant rain farmers from Uthamapalayam taluk have complained about the huge loss of grapes. A survey has been undertaken by  Revenue and Horticulture officials for the damage faced by the grape farmers. Uthamapalayam Tahsildar P.Udhayarani inspected a few vineyards. Well-ripened grapes on around 200 acres in Odaipatti , Theni ,Palani and Vellaimmalpuram had suffered extensive damage.  “We inspected few farms today and a team comprising officials from Horticulture and Revenue departments will make a survey of grape farms in the area to gauge the extent of damage,” the Tahsildar said. She said incessant showers from August 7 to Friday resulted in extensive damage to the fruits. Polythene sheets have been purchased by farmers to cover the plants to protect them. There is a loss of almost 100% yield of grapes cultivated on three acres of land.  “Following the continuous drizzle for the past two weeks, the ripened fruits have cracked and are fully damaged. We spent up to Rs. 1.75 lakh for cultivation of grapes for every one acre.” He complained that he could have harvested around 16 tonnes of fruits if there were no rain since the grapes were in the advanced stage of harvesting. “We have incurred a huge loss due to rain. At least 150 small farmers would have lost grapes on some 200 acres,” the farmer rued.