Even as the mercury level in the ‘halwa’ town touched 102.5 F on Saturday, there was no sign of any rainfall in the region.
As a result, the storage level in the dams in the district has started depleting as water had to be released for the ongoing ‘kar’ crop cultivation underway in many parts here, officials said.
The southwest monsoon had brought in cheer as there was not only rainfall, but the weather too remained by and large pleasant during the usually hot months of April and May. Many small and big dams received steady inflow during the last 45 – 60 days that there was no major problem in drinking water distribution as well.
When the situation looked set for a comfortable time ahead, the sudden rise in mercury has led to discomfort and many people were seen taking tender coconut and soft drinks in a bid to beat the heat instantly. There was no big crowd in the picnic spots in and around the district despite being a weekend as the sun shining hot right from 8 a.m. forced people to stay indoors till 6 p.m.
But it was not the case for the ryots.
Relying on the rains, the farmers, who had taken up ‘kar’ crop are now perplexed since they might require water for irrigation at least till September, when the harvest would be taken up around that time. With scorching sun, the farmers are a worried lot.
In Nagercoil
The water level in Pechiparai dam was 45.90 ft with an inflow of 301 cusecs and a discharge of 201 cusecs. In Perunchani dam, the water level was 74.97 ft with an inflow of 359 cusecs and a discharge of 350 cusecs.
Except Palamore which recorded 2.5 mm rainfall, the district experienced a dry and hot day, PWD officials said and farmers in the belt had urged the officials to release water for the ‘kanni poo’ cultivation.
