Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi/Kasargod
Mangaluru/Udupi/Kasargod, Jan 14: After several dry days, parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts received untimely rain from Tuesday evening. Good rainfall was reported in several areas of Beltangady and Sullia in Dakshina Kannada district, and in parts of Udupi taluk.
In Dakshina Kannada district, places including Beltangady, Bantwal and Puttur, and in Udupi district areas such as Udupi, Kaup and Karkala taluks, experienced rain for about an hour during the night. In Udupi and Manipal, rainfall was reported between 11 pm and 12.30 am, disrupting several programmes, including Yakshagana performances. As per the forecast, there is a possibility of light rain for the next one or two days.
Moderate rain was reported on Tuesday evening in several parts of Sullia taluk and in and around Kukke Subrahmanya. With cloudy weather prevailing since morning, rain lashed Sullia town in the evening. While some areas witnessed drizzle, others received good rainfall. Places including Halegate, Aranthodu, Paicharu, Kollamogru, Bellare, Mandekolu and Sampaje recorded rain.
Kukke Subrahmanya and surrounding areas also received moderate rain during the night. Some parts of the taluk had witnessed rainfall on Monday night as well. Farmers were seen struggling to protect arecanut kept out for drying following the evening showers.
Several areas of Beltangady taluk received good rain on Tuesday evening. Places such as Didupe, Killur, Kolli, Malavantige, Mittabagilu, Nada, Dharmasthala, Kadirudyavara, Kakkinje, Charmady, Mundaje and Neriya recorded rainfall.
While the untimely rain has provided some relief for irrigation, agricultural experts said rainfall at this time is not beneficial for standing crops. Farmers drying arecanut and black pepper have faced considerable inconvenience due to the showers.
Sources in the horticulture department said increased moisture due to rain and cloudy conditions could lead to fungal diseases in arecanut. They added that mango and cashew are currently in the flowering stage, and persistent rain and humidity could result in flower drop.
In Kasargod district, light rain was reported around midnight on Monday in areas such as Vidyanagar, Nettanige and Pallathadka. Some regions also received rain on Tuesday. Farmers reported that arecanut and pepper kept for drying in courtyards were soaked due to the rain.
Meanwhile, the Thiruvananthapuram meteorological centre had issued a yellow alert for parts of the state on Tuesday. Kasargod recorded a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius on the day.