Intermittent showers experienced almost daily in Gudalur and surroundings have benefited tea and coffee estates and standing crops such as banana and ginger.
Though this has brought cheer to the farming community, officials are of the view that the rainfall was neither widespread nor adequate.
Deputy Director of Horticulture N.Mani said here on Sunday that during June 2013 Gudalur had received 710 mm of rainfall. However, so far this month it had received only 240 mm.
WorsePointing out that the situation was worse in other parts of the district, he said that so far this month Ooty had received only 58 mm of rainfall whereas during June 2013 it had recorded 133 mm. In vegetable growing areas such as Nanjanad, Ithalar and their surroundings the amount of rainfall received since the beginning of this month was only 99 mm. The same area had recorded about 267 mm of rainfall during June 2013.
To a question, Mr.Mani said that around 1,285 hectares were now under various rain dependent crops such as potato, carrot, cabbage and beetroot.
Stating that they would be harvested around the middle of July, he added that farmers were keeping their fingers crossed hoping that the inadequate rainfall would not affect their yield.
Meanwhile, the civic officials said that in catchment areas the rainfall had been good.
