Mysuru: The recent October showers have resulted in more damage to horticulture crops than the four months of the South West monsoon from June to September. In North Karnataka, the impact has been particularly severe, mirroring the challenges faced during the monsoon season.
Data from the state revenue department indicates that during the South West monsoon, agriculture crops across 1.1 lakh hectares were affected, along with 7,376.81 hectares of horticulture crops. In contrast, October’s downpour damaged horticulture crops across 16,842.82 hectares and agriculture crops over 93,902 hectares. Additionally, there were 152 reported animal losses, including 101 large animals, and significant damage to 4,614 houses, with 143 houses completely destroyed.
Dharwad, Belagavi, and Haveri emerged as the most affected districts during this period. According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, only four districts—Bidar, Yadgir, Vijayapura, and Raichur—recorded deficit rainfall, while Davanagere experienced a staggering 163% excess rainfall, the highest in the state.
Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy stated that the district has not reported major agricultural losses, and surveys are ongoing. Meanwhile, farmers, represented by Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha (KRRS) president Badagalapura Nagendra, are urging the government for prompt compensation, citing extensive crop losses and requesting a revision of compensation amounts under the NDRF/SDRF for affected farmers.
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