Nilgiris registered less rainfall in 2020 compared to 2019

Udhagamandalam: The Nilgiris district received less amount of rainfall in 2020 compared to 2019. While the district received an average of 1726mm of rainfall in 2020, it registered 2282mm of rainfall in 2019.

Besides, the amount of rainfall in 2020 was lesser than the average annual normal rainfall of 1920mm in the hill district. The pattern of rain was also erratic in the year.

While the rain received in May stood at 67mm against the normal reading of 133 mm, August saw over 225% of more rain against the normal reading of 270mm.

According to farmers and horticulture officials, while the erratic pattern of rain caused damage to crops in August, the excess rainfall in October and December favoured the farm lands.

In June and July, the normal rainfall should be around 231mm and 405mm respectively, but the district received 152mm and 238mm of rainfall respectively due to failure of southwest monsoon.

In August, incessant rain coupled with gusty wind in the hills caused minor landslips, numerous tree falls across the district and floods in some parts in Gudalur and Pandalur taluks. An average of 628mm of rainfall was recorded in the district in August against the normal rain of 270mm. In December, frequent rain kept away the frost formation.

Krishnan of Nilgiri Farmers’ Association said, "The Nilgiris saw considerably less rain in June and July last year which affected the sowing process. The rain was unexpectedly heavy in August damaging the crops."

Not cultivating in November and December is always beneficial to farmers as weeds and worms would die in the winter weather, he added.

A Kumaran, another farmer, said, "Erratic and heavy rain in general will not do any damage to tea plantations as they are cultivated on slopes. But vegetable cultivation will be affected."

Kumaran said good rain last year facilitated a good yield in tea plantations.

Joint director of horticulture department Shiva Subramaniam Samraj said agriculture in the Nilgiris is always rain-fed and depends on natural streams.

He said, "In general, normal rain as expected according to the seasons will help the farmers in a big way. But, when the rain pattern is erratic, then the farmers will be in trouble. Of course, last year the pattern of rainfall was very much erratic and affected the crops."

Nowadays, carrot cultivation has no season. It is cultivated throughout the year, according to him.