Rain rekindles hope among Kodagu farmers

This year’s monsoon has rekindled hope among the farmers in the land of Cauvery.

Monsoon has gained momentum since the beginning of June.

The district has received more rainfall in the first week of June, which in turn, has helped in improving the groundwater table.

The rain in Kodagu has brought cheers to the farmers in Mandya and Mysuru region as well.

All the waterfalls in the district have come alive in the last 15 days.

The district had received poor rainfall in 2016 and it had affected paddy cultivation. In 2017, the district had received below normal showers.

Rain so far

Kodagu district has received 1,225.99 mm rainfall from January till date.

Last year, the district had received 525 mm rainfall in the corresponding period.

Last year, Virajpet had received only 398 mm of rainfall from January to June. This year, it is 883.12 mm.

Normally, Kodagu receives heavy rain in the month of July. As a result, the urban local bodies in Madikeri, Somwarpet, Virajpet, Kushalnagar and Shanivarasanthe have not taken any precautionary measures.

SWD clearance

The locals charged that the failure of the officials in clearing stormwater drains has led to artificial floods.

Meanwhile, the coffee growers are worried over fruit rot disease affecting coffee plants following heavy rain.

The farmers in the irrigated area are preparing paddy seedlings for cultivation following the increase in water level in Harangi reservoir.

Following less rainfall, the government had decided not to release water to the canals from Harangi reservoir last year.