Mangaluru: The weather forecasters may be following the readings on the map, but down at the ground level things are different, in most pockets the rains have already subsided to the level of the previous monsoon season in 2016 which has discouraged the monsoon chasers.
Bengaluru-based, Rocky who leads monsoon expeditions to the Western Ghats told verito.today at Charmady on June 24 that “I was disappointed to see bright sunshine over many parts of the Western Ghats which never used to get dry spells during the Monsoons till last couple of years. The rains over the Western Ghats have become so unpredictable that the Monsoon expeditions are never completed to its last detail.
Monsoon expedition expert in Panaji, Harry D’Souza told that “many areas of Western Ghats have undergone changes due to many of the Nethravati Diversion Project (which has been touted a Yettinahole stormwater lift project). The huge pipes that have been laid all across the main river pass areas have been giving out huge blocks of mud underneath the pipes which are getting into the various rivers and seasonal water bodies and blocking the water veins and in some places diverting the flow of water. Many of the trekking paths all over the Shirady sector may not remain conducive for trekking”
This trends are seen in Nintikallu, Devaramane (Mudigere), Hanubalu, Hebbasale, Aluvalli and Hongada Halla. According to district rain statistics of the Western Ghat areas it was 87 inches in the last Monsoon period while it is just 54 inches in the present monsoon so far.
There were times when Monsoon chasing was a favourite sport for many desi enthusiasts and those adventure tourists who came from drier areas of the North as well as the Persian Gulf, which was basically motor rally type. High-value Monsoon chasing tourists used to drive their huge cars through the Monsoon areas in Karnataka particularly the Coastal and Malnad areas, “But in the last two years they have been complaining about not getting enough rain to experience during their tours, one particular group from Oman and another from Dubai have cancelled their trip in 2016 and this year they have not made any reservations with us, says Inocio Fernandez a Goa based Monsoon chase trip organiser.
“Karnataka sector is the most exciting. We get to cross Agumbe, Charmady, Shirady and Sampaje Ghats and the entire route is filled lush green forest and whitewater falls in abundance. It is a pleasure driving through the Bhagavati Reserve Forest, Subrahmanya Ghat, Bisale Ghats that provide a terrific view from all sides” says Fernandez.
A Gulf-based Monsoon chasers group headed by Roshan Pais brings not less than three monsoon expeditions into the Western Ghats.
“If it is monsoon I do not carry mineral water, I have devised a special bottle that has a funnel that helps collect rain water which I use during the expeditions. The yearly Monsoon chasing fills me up with a year long exuberance in Abu Dhabi. Rich people in Abu Dhabi spend a fortune to get the leach therapy, but when I come to Monsoon chasing I get it for free”
Anni Malekudiya from Belthangady acts as a guide of Monsoon chasing expeditions finds the monsoon chasers strange. Throughout the two-day trip from Mangaluru to Honnavara passing through the interior Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada they do not eat anything but fruits on the way. They ask me to take them to wild plantain growing areas when they arrive there they just pluck and eat the ripe ones. They stay in the tribals villages like Navur and Kutlur where they eat Rice Ganji. Jack fruits and locally available berries and fruits in the huts of the local hosts”
*Coast has 400 kilometres of Monsoon chasing areas for the motorists.
*120 spots for visit for the trekking buffs across Sakleshpura, Kottigehara, Yadekumeri, Siribagilu and many other places.