PUDUKOTTAI: Paddy raised on an area of 21,000 hectares in the district has been damaged extensively following sharp showers in the district during November. The damage was caused due to inundation of paddy fields for several days and also due to the incidence of blast disease in the fields, said G.S. Ramadasu, District Revenue Officer. Presiding over the Farmers' Grievances Day meeting held here on Friday, he said uneven distribution of rainfall for a fortnight between November 20 and December 5 had resulted in increase in the humidity of the climate, a factor favourable for the incidence of blast disease. Agriculture Department officials clarified that under normal conditions, the blast disease could be controlled through crop protection techniques. But excess humidity had caused extensive damage to the standing crop. Mr. Ramadasu said realisation of water in the tanks had stabilised following the showers. Water in as many as 100 out of the total 168 system tanks in the Cauvery Mettur Project area can be utilised for irrigation for the next three months; another 50 tanks for two months while 18 tanks could irrigate the fields throughout December. A maximum of 8,000 hectares was damaged in Avudaiyarkovil area followed by 7,400 hectares in Manalmelkudi area; 900 hectares in Arimalam and 300 hectares in Aranthangi. When a number of farmers complained of heavy damage to the standing crops and urged the district administration to take steps for relief from the state government, the official replied that a crop-wise and field-wise survey was being conducted in the district.