The northeast monsoon appears to have failed in the district for the second year in a row, raising apprehension among among farmers.
Rainfall was poor in the seven northern districts of the State, and Kasaragod in particular, triggering worry of yet another dry spell commencing as early as January. Data from the Indian Meteorological Department points to an average 14% rain deficiency in the seven districts.
P. Sitaram Bhat, an official of the Groundwater Department, said the district had so far received 44.50 mm rain this season as against the previous season’s 94 mm. In the earlier years, the average rainfall used to be between 200 mm and 300 mm.
The rivers have begun to show signs of drying up fast. The northeast monsoon usually often stretches up to two to three hours in the afternoon and results in springs, K. Balaraman Nair, a farmer from Balal grama panchayat said.
If the dry spell persisted, the worst hit would be areca nut and coconut growers, he said. The sharp fall in rain the previous season has resulted in drastic reduction in coconut yield. Coconut presently fetches ₹40 a kg while coconut oil is priced above ₹200 a litre owing to dwindling production, he said. Areca nut growers too are a troubled lot in the district, which is known for its top graded crop. Anticipating a dry spell, those with small holdings are sinking borewells indiscriminately, which will further bring down the groundwater level.
Sliver of hope
However, India Meteorological Department Director S. Sudev, while admitting a sharp fall in the northeast monsoon, expressed hope of receiving two or three heavy rain spells by December end.
