The people of Malnad who could once lead a comfortable life even in summer due to the soothing weather are found cribbing over and complaining about heat this year. They say that they feel as though they are living in coastal districts.
“We cannot get out of homes from 12 noon to 4 pm because of the heat. In the afternoon, the temperature shoots up to 36 degrees. There are no traces of clouds,” say the local residents.
The situation in town surrounded by dense green forests is also the same. The pedestrians are seen gulping cold drinks frequently on the roadside shacks. Fruit vendors in the region are all making hay as the sun shines. The vendors who used to sell local fruits like the ice apples, pineapples and some wild fruits are now seen selling watermelon, oranges, sweet lime etc. The cases of viral fever, diarrhea etc too has increased and many attribute it to two reasons, viz increasing temperature and consumption of unhygienic cold beverages.
The greenery around has vanished and the cattle have been left high and dry as they have no access to green grass. Cattle do no even have adequate water to drink.
People living in thatched houses in rural areas are feeling the pinch of summer heat. With this, people in the Malnad are wondering over the reason for the increase in temperature.
One school of thought explains that since Kudremukh Iron Ore Company had cleared off several hills in the region in the name of mining, the hot air from the Coastal region is directly hitting the Malnad. However, another section of people say that it is the global warming, which is showing up in Malnad too. Those who have been observing the nature closely say that acute deforestation and cultivation of trees like Acacia and Silver oak etc has added to the increase in temperature.
The water level in river Bhadra has reached the lowest ever. Almost every lake, pond and stream has started drying leaving people panic-struck. Forest in large areas has caught fire and it is said that cases of forest fire this year is the highest. Though there are predictions that the region will receive good rainfall between March 31 to April 10, people are apprehensive over this prediction.