A 54-year-old farmer of Pudukottai district committed suicide on Sunday, apparently because he was dejected over the extensive damage his plantations had suffered due to Cyclone Gaja.
The police said it was a case of death by consumption of poison.
V. Thiruchelvam, of Neduvasal Keezhpaathi village, had raised casuarina, coconut and teak on a 30-acre land. All the trees were completely destroyed by the cyclone.
He had taken loans for his plantations. In the wake of the havoc caused by the cyclone, he decided to end his life by consuming poison, the police said. His family members rushed him to the Peravurani Government Hospital, but to no avail, they added.
The farmer is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)