Unseasonal Rains Hit Karnataka Farmers Hard, Damaging Key Crops
Unexpected showers disrupt harvesting and drying across multiple districts, sparking worries over quality and yields.
Farmers in Karnataka are facing tough times after unseasonal rains swept through several districts starting Tuesday evening. The downpours have hit areas like Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Shivamogga, Belagavi, and Kodagu, affecting crops such as coffee, paddy, areca nut, and black pepper.
In Chikkamagaluru, heavy rain and strong winds struck places like Mudigere, Koppa, Sringeri, Kalasa, Kudremukh, Hornadu, and Balehonnur. Coffee beans and fruits left out to dry in open yards got soaked, and in some spots, they were even swept away by the water. Growers say the cloudy skies over the past week already slowed down drying, and this sudden rain has made things worse.
Over in Kodagu, ongoing cloudy weather and light drizzles have hurt coffee and paddy fields. About 70% of Arabica coffee harvesting is done, while Robusta is just starting. Farmers worry that too much moisture and no sun could spoil the beans, leading to fungal problems like aflatoxin, which might lower prices in the market.
Hassan saw evening rains in Belur, Sakleshpur, Hettur, and Alur, where paddy and coffee harvesting is in full swing. Drying paddy has become a challenge, and coffee berries are dropping from plants early. Some farmers mentioned added stress from wild elephant raids on top of the weather issues.
In Shivamogga, including Thirthahalli, rain fell steadily for 20 to 45 minutes, throwing daily routines off track. Belagavi farmers also reported similar unseasonal showers, fearing big crop losses.
Dakshina Kannada had moderate to heavy rain in Belthangady, Bantwal, Puttur, and Sullia. In Udupi, spots like Udupi town, Manipal, Kaup, and Karkala got about an hour of rain, which even canceled cultural events like Yakshagana shows.
Horticulture officials warn that the wet, humid air could spread diseases in areca nut farms. Mango and cashew trees, now in bloom, might lose flowers due to the ongoing rain, hurting next season’s harvest.
Nearby in Kerala, light rain hit Kasaragod on Monday night and Tuesday, wetting piles of areca nut and black pepper set out to dry. The local weather center issued a yellow alert, with temperatures topping out at 26°C.
The India Meteorological Department predicts light to moderate rain in scattered areas for the next day or two. While it helps with water needs, experts say this timing is bad for crops ready for harvest, leaving farmers anxious about more damage.
