Unseasonal showers may have brought relief to Trichy’s residents, but they’ve poured cold water on the hopes of those dependent on summer beverage sales. Vendors dealing in tender coconut, watermelon, and fruit juices say business has taken a nosedive as demand shrinks amid cooler weather and unexpected rains.

The season had shown promise around mid-April when scorching heat led to surging sales. “It was going great, especially near the bus stand. But sales have dipped drastically over the past few weeks,” says S Thamimun Ansari, a vendor from Tiruvarur. With the weather turning pleasant and rainy, footfall at stalls has reduced. “It wasn’t like this in previous years,” he adds.

Distributors have been hit even harder. S A Khaja Mohideen, a supplier from Mannarpuram, recalls transporting up to 35 tonnes of tender coconuts weekly from Coimbatore and Tirupur. “Now, one truckload is more than enough. We’ve even had to slash prices to attract buyers,” he explains.

The watermelon trade too has shrunk by nearly two-thirds across Tamil Nadu. Cultivators from Thottiyam and Namakkal are now reconsidering their sowing plans. “This was meant to be our busiest month. It’s turned into a loss,” laments P Ramesh, a supplier.

Even juice stall owners are in trouble. With fewer customers, they are worried about covering rent and daily expenses. Some are moving to crowded localities to stay afloat.

According to IMD’s Dr B Amutha, the early arrival of the southwest monsoon—triggered by climate shifts and wind reversals—mirrors a similar pattern from 2009.