Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, May 19: The Karnataka coast has been receiving rains for a few days now and water fountains can be witnessed in agricultural fields in the middle of the summer. Because of the steady rainfall, some benefits have also accrued to the farmers. At the same time, there is the fear of loss for many.

Places like Charmadi, Shiradi, Bisale and Sampaje ghat regions had started receiving rainfall from April first week. After some time, other nearby places too got rainfall. Mangaluru and other places too got rains, and the entire area, instead of experiencing scorching sun, are having a cool climate a month before the monsoon officially begins.

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Areca nut is a major cash crop of the state and Dakshina Kannada district is the major contributor of this crop. The rainfall which used to happen initially once in two days, is now making an appearance every day from the last two weeks. Normally the farmers who begin to divert water to their plantations, continue to be busy with this task till May end. Often, because of power cuts, the water supply also faces problems. But now since a month no need for pumping water to the plantations is felt. This has eased the pressure on Mescom. The drinking water issue, water for gardens and mini vegetable cultivation units have not cropped up this year. The people are happy but they also fear that the areca nut harvest might get adversely affected this year.

Till afternoon, the district experiences a hot climate but thereafter, clouds take over and in the evening, it rains heavily. By evening, the temperature plummets to around 27 degrees. Farmers believe that these drastic ups and downs will affect the yield. For the last two years, at the end of the summer, the farmers suffered because many of the tender areca nuts suddenly wilted and dropped down. They believe that the harvest is good only when there is a hot climate and enough water is fed.

In many places of Sullia, Kadaba and Beltangady taluks, water fountains have erupted in rivulets and canals lining the foot of the Western Ghats. There is no dearth of water this time even in Puttur and Bantwal taluks and vented dams are full to the brim. The panchayats too have not been facing any water shortage.