Timely showers revive kharif hopes, boost reservoir inflows in Dharwad

Dharwad: Moderate rainfall continued across Dharwad district for the past four days, bringing much-needed relief to farmers after weeks of anxiety over inadequate monsoon showers.

Though there was a brief respite on Thursday, the steady rain has replenished soil moisture, revived standing crops and improved inflows into the Malaprabha river and the Renuka Sagar reservoir.Intermittent showers lashed Dharwad and Hubballi cities, along with the taluks of Kundgol, Kalghatagi, Navalgund and Alnavar, throughout the day. The fresh spell has eased concerns among farmers who feared crop losses following the prolonged dry conditions in the last week of June.

With adequate moisture now available, hopes of a healthy kharif season have been renewed.The rains have also increased inflows into the Malaprabha River, easing immediate concerns over drinking water availability in the twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad. According to the district rain report, the river is currently receiving an inflow of 13,700 cusecs. At the same time, storage in the Renuka Sagar reservoir has risen to 10 tmcft against its full capacity of 37 tmcft. Officials expect inflows to increase further over the next two days, as the India Meteorological Department has forecast more moderate rainfall this week.

During the last 48 hours, Alnavar recorded the highest rainfall at 15mm, followed by Kalghatagi (12.8mm), Dharwad taluk (6.3mm), Hubballi City (4.8mm), Kundgol (4.7mm), Hubballi taluk (3.5mm), Navalgund (2.5mm) and Annigeri (2.2mm).Farmers across the district expressed relief as the prolonged spell of rain has reversed the moisture stress that had begun affecting crops. “The steady rainfall over the past few days has revived our fields and restored our confidence. We were worried about the crop because of the dry spell, but now we are hopeful of a good kharif harvest,” said farmer Mallikarjun Balangoudar.