Idukki: The hills of Idukki are coming alive with colourful blooms as Kerala prepares to celebrate Onam, but erratic rainfall has affected this year’s flower harvest.

In Senapathy village, farmer Sindhu Kannan has been growing flowers for years, helping reduce the region’s dependence on flowers brought in from neighbouring states during the festival season.

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This year, however, delayed and uneven rainfall has affected the yield compared with last year. Some varieties, including the maroon chrysanthemums Sindhu has experimented with, have also taken longer to bloom.

Despite the weather challenges, her fields remain in bloom, offering a colourful glimpse of the Onam season. Sindhu says local buyers have also assured her of good returns for the flowers.

Onam, which also celebrates Kerala’s harvest tradition, began on Sunday. Thiruvonam, the festival’s main and final day, will be celebrated on August 26.