SHIVAMOGGA: Hulikal and Agumbe, once famed as the wettest places in South India, are ironically heading for a shortage of drinking water in about two weeks.
Hosanagar Tahsildar C M Kulkarni told Express, “We have enough water for now, but in many places in Malnad this summer, we face the prospect of having to supply water in tankers.”
Because of its copious rainfall, Agumbe used to be called the Cherrapunji of the South, but Hulikal emerged wetter in recent years. In Agumbe, a little village where the much-loved serial Malgudi Days was shot, temperatures have ranged between 27 and 32 degrees Celsius over the past two weeks.
These towns, in a dense forest region, are 30 km apart. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) records, the mean annual rainfall is 7,724 mm in Agumbe and 8,007 mm in Hulikal. That means Hulikal has snatched the ‘most rainy’ title from Agumbe. Yet, for the past 10 days, temperatures in Hulikal have ranged from 32 to 37 degrees Celsius. This region is known for its misty beauty, but it is hot here this summer.
In 18 of the last 23 years, Hulikal has recorded more rainfall than Agumbe, barring 1995, 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2008. Hulikal also received rain on more days than Agumbe between 2008 and 2013 (July). However, in 2015, Agumbe recovered its pride of place. “Water does not percolate in these hilly areas; it runs off into the nearby forest area and enters the backwaters of the Sharavathi river,” the official explained.
Dry as Bone
Agumbe was known as the Cherrapunji of the South because of its copious rainfall. But, in the recent years, Hulikal has emerged wetter. In 18 of the last 23 years, Hulikal has recorded more rainfall, barring 1995, 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2008. Yet, for the past 10 days, temperatures in Hulikal have ranged from 32-370C. This region is known for its misty beauty, but it is hot here this year.