Harsh summer makes water scarce in Cauvery birthplace

With the increase in temperature in the last few days, Gonikoppa residents are anticipating a scorching summer.

The hot weather is accentuated by the absence of pre-monsoon showers in the region.

The rivers, rivulets, streams and lakes which overflowed during the monsoon, have dried up now.

There exists a drought-like situation in different parts of Kodagu district.

The coffee crop at Thithimathi and Devarapura have dried up.

The water-level in open wells and borewells have reduced drastically.

Water is being supplied by the local authorities once every three days at Balele, Ponnappasanthe, Thithimathi and other areas.

The Keerehole water body has disappeared in Kirugooru area and cattle are seen grazing on the banks of Keerehole. Ponnampete is also facing acute shortage of water.

Without water, pepper vines too have started drying up in the region. Many lakes in Nagarahole Rajiv Gandhi National Park have also dried up.

The Lakshmanatheertha river which takes its birth in Brahmagiri hilly range had inundated paddy fields and coffee estates at Balele, Nittooru in Gonikoppa during the rainy season. The river has now dried up.

The water in Irpu waterfalls is not flowing to Srimangala which is situated 10-km away.