Tamil Nadu: Southwest monsoon arrives in Nilgiris

UDHAGAMANDALAM: Southwest monsoon arrived in the Nilgiris though late by two weeks on Sunday.
Although the hills were drenched with a few good heavy showers in May, the onset of the monsoon has brought cheer to the locals.
With continuous rain throughout the day on Sunday, Ooty and its surroundings witnessed typical monsoon mist coupled with wind and cold.
According to the horticulture department, it is to be observed to see the consistency of the rain pattern to establish it as a monsoon.
While Ooty received 3.6mm of rainfall up to 4pm on Sunday, Naduvattam registered 10mm, Upper Bhavani 42mm, Avalanche 35mm, and Pandalur 25mm. The maximum temperature recorded in Ooty was 15 degrees Celsius.
Heavy rain in May damaged a few farmlands with standing crops such as cabbage in Kotagiri and Coonoor taluks.
“The rain will help in the process of applying manure in tea gardens and facilitate the land preparation work for the forthcoming autumn planting,” a horticulture official said.
According to an official of the Ooty municipality, the previous showers in May and the onset of monsoon would facilitate the improvement of the water levels in the local reservoirs. Hence, the supply of drinking water in Ooty town will significantly improve.
M Krishnamurthi, a farmer from Gudalur, said, “The rain would facilitate the paddy fields as well as tea estates in Gudalur and Pandalur areas.”
However, J Murthy, a farmer from Kotagiri said, “Heavy unusual showers in May deterred us from harvesting. The ‘June-patta’ is getting postponed now.” TNN