Palakkad: Rains in the state has abated leaving the farmers in distress. With the Makayiram, Thiruvathira and Punartham Njattuvelas over, there has been a considerable decrease in the rainfall. Though the first turn (onnam vila) of paddy cultivation grew well initially, the decrease in rain resulted in growth of weeds on fields.
This is anticipated to affect the coconut, arecanut and pepper cultivations net season.
This year, a little more than expected rainfall was obtained in state only from March 1 to May 31. 387.7 mm rainfall was obtained between June 1 to July 17, an increase of 7 percent from the previous period.
Though monsoon was expected to strengthen in June, it didn’t happen. From June 1 to July 17 there has been a decrease of 55 percent rainfall in Wayanad district while there has been a decrease of 24 percent in Palakkad district.
K A Venugopal of Kinassery Central Padasekhara Samithi said that the decrease in rainfall will affect the second turn (randam vila) of paddy cultivation. Having water in dams will not help as much as receiving rains, he opined.
