The massive downfall in Wayanad’s water levels and fissures in fields have literally shocked the people as well as experts in Kerala. It has arrived as an alarming situation in the district, especially for the farmers. The temperature in the district has gone up to more than 28 degrees Celcius. Something that has come as most shocking is the situation has come right after the flood. Last month the whole state was submerged in water and now it is becoming a dry place.
According to experts, the change in temperature is not unusual and it has been increasing gradually for the past three years and the spike is very much discernible in the months of September over the last few years if weather data is considered.
“The temperature has increased considerably, resulting in dip in the water level. In some areas, it was also reported that earthworms were found dead in large numbers. Considering global warming, there could be a difference of a maximum .2 degrees in a year. A difference of 5 degrees in mean temperature range is a huge change and that will definitely have an adverse impact on the soil and living conditions. Rain stopped just 15 days ago, and the temperature is showing a sudden shift. This situation is something mysterious. There is a drought-like situation in the district soon after the rain,” said RARS associate director Dr P Rajendran.
Two years back in October 2016, ‘Mathrubhumi’ had published a story on the occurrences of earth dry cracking incidents in the district. After this report, the agriculture and climate scientists had inspected the region. Subsequently, the study suggested that the excess heat on the earth was causing these occurrences. Another research done by the Agricultural Research Station established the previous research conclusions.
Even after the heavy rainfall of 4825 mm rain within 80 days in some regions in Wayanad, the moisture from the soil has vanished. This will adversely affect the microbes in the soil and crops, said District Soil Conservative Officer PU Das. The temperature during the day is witnessed to be double the temperature during night time in Wayanad.
