The net deficit in rainfall remains high at 37 per cent for Mysore district despite the good showers in the last week of August and in September. Against the average rainfall of 482.45 mm from January to September 13, the district received only 304.7 mm.
The deficit is uniform across the district and all the taluks have reported less than normal rain. H.D. Kote received 412.9 mm of rain in this period against the average of 589.1 mm. Hunsur got only 243.6 mm rain against the average of 463.5 mm and T.Narsipura got only 215.9 mm against the average of 418.5 mm. The scenario is not different in K.R. Nagar, which received 247 mm rain against the average of 447.2 mm.
Though the data show that Nanjangud taluk received 76 per cent of the average rainfall, the situation is worse here because the bulk of showers that the taluk received were in April (120 mm). This has boosted the average rainfall statistics and distorted the actual picture though the taluk is under a dry spell for the last three months. Against the average of 436.2 mm of rain, the taluk received 332.6 mm.
Periyapatana taluk received 381.3 mm of rain against the average of 586.5 mm. The deficit in Mysore hovers around 31 per cent. Against the average of 436.7 mm, the taluk received only 299.8 mm. The rainfall deficit in the taluk was 39 per cent till August 31 and a slight revival of monsoon resulting in regular showers this month reduced it by 2 per cent.
With the southwest onsoon on the verge of retreating, the shortfall is unlikely to be made up in the remaining period.
Krishnaiah, Joint Director of Agriculture, told The Hindu that the surge in rainfall would not help salvage the crops as the growth had been stunted and the yield or recovery would be poor.
“The rains failed during the critical growth period and crops have suffered severe moisture stress and have withered,” he added.
“Though the recent rain may turn a vast swathe of barren land and agriculture fields green, it is only a camouflage and nothing can hide the crisis plaguing farmers. While the storage position in the reservoir may marginally improve due to the monsoon, farmers’ loss cannot be compensated,” Kurubur Shanthakumar of the Sugarcane Cultivators Association said.
