Kundapur farmers race against time to harvest paddy as rains recede; fishermen return to sea after weeks of turmoil

Kundapur: After two weeks of unrelenting rainfall, the sudden disappearance of Varuna (rain god) has sparked a flurry of activity across the paddy fields of coastal Karnataka.

Farmers who had been anxiously watching their half-drenched crops are now rushing to complete the harvest, while the calmer seas have encouraged fishermen to finally resume their livelihood after a long, uncertain break.

The untimely and continuous rains had brought the entire harvest season to a halt in Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts. Now, as the skies clear, harvesters from neighbouring states have arrived, and machines are operating in full swing in the fields. The paddy stalks, already weakened by excess water, are being quickly gathered before another unexpected spell could strike again.

“This is usually the time when the rains stop around Deepavali, but this year the weather turned unpredictable. We were afraid of losing the entire crop. Now that the rain has paused, we’re racing to get the paddy home before it falls flat,” said Venkatesh Rao of Hoskote village, a local farmer.

In many parts of Kundapur, the sight of farmers working tirelessly from dawn to dusk has returned. The delay has caused grain loss in several areas, but farmers remain determined to salvage whatever they can. “We’re harvesting non-stop. If we delay even a day, the paddy might rot,” said another farmer.

Meanwhile, on the coastal front, the Arabian Sea — which had been turbulent for several weeks — has finally calmed down. The change has revived the spirits of fishermen who had been stranded ashore, waiting for the weather to stabilize. “The sea has finally cooled down. After months of uncertainty, we’ve resumed fishing. Every kind of boat is now venturing out,” said Nagraj Kanchan, a fishermen’s leader from Kodi.

The fishing season technically began two months ago, but rough weather prevented any consistent fishing activity. August saw barely six to seven days of active fishing, while September allowed only about two weeks. Even then, fish scarcity persisted. Except for small varieties like bhootayi and bangude (mackerel), most fish species have been missing from nets.

The recent storms and unpredictable winds had also affected trawlers. After the lifting of the monsoon trawling ban and traditional sea puja, fishermen were preparing to resume operations when cyclonic conditions struck again, forcing boats to remain docked at harbours. “We prayed every day for calm seas. Finally, nature has shown mercy. Let this normalcy continue,” Kanchan added.

Experts say the erratic weather pattern, attributed to climate change, has not only disrupted agriculture but also the marine economy of the coastal belt. The combined hit to farmers and fishermen has highlighted the vulnerability of traditional livelihoods to shifting climate cycles.

For now, the coastal belt is witnessing cautious optimism — golden fields are finally being harvested, and boats are setting sail under clear skies. Yet, both farmers and fishermen remain watchful, knowing that nature’s mood could change at any moment.

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