44% rainfall deficit hits Shivamogga; only 28% sowing completed
Shivamogga district has recorded a 44% deficit in southwest monsoon rainfall so far this season, affecting agricultural operations, with only 28% of the sowing target
Shivamogga district has recorded a 44% deficit in southwest monsoon rainfall so far this season, affecting agricultural operations, with only 28% of the sowing target completed, Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti said on Tuesday (July 28). Speaking to the media, Mr. Kavalikatti said two major crops to be affected by the loss of rainfall are paddy and maize. However, there is still time for paddy cultivation up to August-end. Maize sown so far has not germinated as expected in many areas and the crop has also failed to show healthy growth.
“We have sufficient fertilizer stock to meet the requirements of farmers across the district. Steps will be taken to ensure timely supply if additional stocks are required,” he said. The district has 280 rain-gauge stations. Of these, 208 are non-functional and only 72 are operational as of January 2026. So far, 185 of the defunct stations have been repaired, while the remaining stations are expected to be made functional within the next 15 days, he stated.
Last year, many areca growers in the district alleged that they did not receive proper insurance benefits due to the faulty rain-gauge stations. The district administration has also submitted a proposal to the State government seeking compensation for horticulture farmers whose crops were damaged in hailstorms during April and May, besides requesting a special relief package, he said, in response to a question. On the drinking water supply, the Deputy Commissioner said tanker water was being supplied to residents of one village in Soraba taluk.
In addition, drinking water shortages had been reported in 37 identified villages in the district. As a temporary measure, the administration has hired locally available borewells to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply to these villages, he added.
The BriefWire