Coastal Karnataka faces a 29% rainfall deficit, threatening coconut and arecanut yields while slowing paddy sowing.
With rainfall 29% below normal, according to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, paddy sowing lags far behind targets in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.
K. Balachandra Hebbar, director of the ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, said higher temperatures and lower moisture will increase whitefly attacks on coconut palms. Plantations in Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Tumakuru, Mandya, Ramanagara and Mysuru face greater risk from black-headed caterpillars.
Scanty rain may reduce Kole Roga in arecanut but will raise nut shedding, compounding damage already caused by yellow leaf and leaf spot diseases. The institute has advised the state horticulture department on protective steps.
Environmental activist Dinesh Holla warned that reduced water in Shola forests will dry rivers earlier and increase human-animal conflict while lowering hydel power output.