Madikeri: The total annual rainfall in Kodagu has taken a steady nosedive during the past years. This year, in particular, even in the first week of June there are no signs of regular monsoons, although sporadic showers have hit at a gap of a few days.
Green activists blame it on rampant deforestation and haphazard real estate development in the district. It is no false alarm. It is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Monsoon normally arrives a week after it hits Kerala. This year, God’s Own Country too has to wait until after June 7, according to Met forecasts.
The monsoon, although delayed thus far, is expected to gain momentum here and in the coastal districts soon thereafter. In July and August, say the Met officials, the shortfall would be more than made up with a generous downpour.
Therefore the administrations of these three districts are gearing up for possible natural disasters on account of heavy rains.
As part of the erratic pattern of the rainfall this year, heavy showers suddenly hit Madikeri on Sunday. Luckily enough, since it was a weekly holiday, a large number of students and office-goers and the trading community were saved of the after-effects when the skies opened up.
Regular rainfall is eagerly expected latest by June 15. If it happens, growers and agriculturists can heave a sigh of relief with rising water table levels and teeming water-bodies.
Pics Ramachandra / Impact
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There’s a change in the rainfall pattern. We might get the annual ant. ..but not necessarily during the normal period. You are 100% correct when you attribute this change due to rampant tree-felling replaced by ‘concrete jungles ‘ across the length and breadth of the Ghats.
As much as I love and respect green activists, this irregular weather pattern has more to do with El Nino than concrete buildings in Madikeeri.