Chittoor's rain deficit deepens, kharif crops wilt
Chittoor district's rainfall deficit since June has hit 64.5%, threatening kharif crops and groundwater, with western mandals worst affected.
Farmers in the tail-end areas of Chittoor district are staring at significant crop losses as a prolonged dry spell, marked by a rainfall deficit since March, has left fields moisture-stressed and borewells under pressure. The district received only 3,033.4 mm of rain between June and August against the normal 8,543.1 mm, a shortfall of 64.5%. With the kharif season nearing its end, prospects of recovery appear slim.
June brought some relief with 1,476.4 mm of rain (a 33.7% deficit), but July saw a sharp decline to 414.8 mm against the normal 2,863.2 mm, an 85.5% deficit. August continued the trend with a 66.9% shortfall, further weakening hopes for a healthy crop.
The western parts of the district are the worst hit. Gudupalle in Kuppam revenue division recorded the highest deficit at 90.9%, followed by Irala (87.4%), Thavanampalle (86.1%), V. Kota (84.6%), Bangarupalem (82.2%), and Kuppam (82.1%). Yadamarri, Peddapanjani, and Gangavaram also saw deficits of 79.9%, 78.8%, and 78.3%, respectively.
The dry spell has severely affected rain-fed cultivation. Farmers who sowed after June showers now see poor germination, stunted growth, and drying plants due to lack of moisture in July and August. Hareesh, a horticulture graduate turned farmer from M. Kotur in Palamaner mandal, said resowing was considered after some August rain but dropped due to rising cultivation costs.
Groundwater levels have also declined sharply. A field officer in Kuppam division noted that the threat of El Niño has made farmers wary of spending on new borewells. Poor inflows into tanks, ponds, and streams have increased pressure on drinking-water sources. In Kuppam and Palamaner, major dairy hubs, farmers worry about drying grazing lands and fodder shortages.