JOIN USSparse rainfall, farmers anxious
The hopes of monsoon have not yet picked up in the coastal districts, besides Kodagu and Chikmagalur. The districts received uneven rainfall at irregular intervals during the past few days. Mangalore received good rain by noon on Friday, and it was almost nil in the morning and evening hours.
As on Thursday, Bantwal taluk received the highest rainfall, i.e., 24.2 mm, while Puttur got 18 mm. It was 16.4 mm in Sullia taluk, 14.2 mm in Belthangady. Least was in Mangalore, that is, 11.4 mm.
The average rainfall in Udupi district in the last 24 hours is 36.53 mm. Udupi taluk witnessed the highest quantum, that is, 39 mm. It was 33.20 mm in Kundapur taluk and 37.40 mm in Karkala. In many parts of the coastal districts, farmers are eager to continue their farming activities, but are worried due to insufficient rains. In some places, ploughing works have been left half way.
Discouraging scene
Rainfall in Kodagu has gone down by 50 per cent, thereby adversely hitting the agricultural activities. Last year by June 3, Cauvery was full and most of the waterfalls, including Abbey Falls were gushing. The scene is quite discouraging this time.
Harangi reservoir, which usually gets filled by first rainfall, is still empty. The minimum water-level has reached 26 ft. Kodagu usually records 804.3 mm rainfall every year by June end but this year the district has received only 403.1 mm of rainfall till Thursday.
Chikmagalur city received the much awaited rain on Friday, bringing cheers to people. Plain regions including Kadur and Tarikere are receiving good rains, while Malnad areas are yet to get a good shower. Chikmagalur usually gets heavy rains in the second week of June.
With no rains in the Malnad, the water level in three main reservoirs of the district has receded. When compared to last year on this day, the water level in Linganamakki and Bhadra reservoirs is exactly 10 feet less. Similarly, the inflow of water to the reservoir too has considerably come down.
The maximum water level of Linganamakki reservoir is 1,819 feet. While on Friday water level was 1,741.05 feet, last year on the same day, it was 1,752,80 feet. While the water inflow on Friday was 1,108 cusecs, last year it was 6,932 cusecs. The rainfall received is 14.8 mm, compared to 68 mm last year
The maximum water level of Bhadra reservoir is 186 feet. On Friday water level was 131 feet. Last year on this day, it was 148.1 feet. The water inflow now is 666 cusecs, then it was 3,115 cusecs.
Similarly, the maximum water level of Tunga reservoir is 588.24 feet. While on Friday, the water level was 584.46 feet, last year on the same day, it was 584.53. However, the water inflow when compared to last year is about six times less. Now it is 1,238 cusecs, then it was 6,430 cusecs.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai-Karnataka region too has received minimal rains so far. Even though the clouds have appeared in the horizon, still farmers are waiting for the rains to begin the kharif sowing.
While there has been some drizzle in some pockets in Mumbai-Karnataka region, including in Dharwad, the other parts are totally dry. The monsoon is also very weak in the districts like Bijapur, Bidar, Bellary, and Raichur.
Following are the Water levels in the reservoirs of Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, and Malaprabha reservoirs as on June 26. (Maximum level in brackets) Tungabhadra: 1,586 feet (1,633 feet) Ghataprabha: 2067.70 feet (2175 feet), and Malaprabha: 2035.21 feet (2079 feet).
(with inputs from Mangalore, Udupi, Kodagu, Shimoga and Hubli)
Govt alert on rain situatuion
The scanty rainfall in the State has become a matter of concern and officials should be sensitive to the problems of the farmers, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said during the fourth and concluding day of review meeting with Cabinet colleagues on Friday, reports DHNS from Bangalore.
He said the Government will wait for four to five days before announcing the next step of action, he said.