Ooty: The non-seasonal rains at the fag end of January, in the midst of the chill winter weather has come as a boon for residents in the rain-starved hills.
The near 57 per cent deficit rainfall in the last monsoon season has made the drinking and other water needs problematic in the early part of the year.
On Friday the hills received a couple of good showers, playing havoc with the sightseeing trips of a large array of tourists who flocked the hills for the weekend following the Republic Day holiday. Though residents said that the showers have helped collect some water through the rainwater harvesting system in houses, farmers have a different view.
B.Krishnamoorthi, president of the Nilgiris Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, said that the rains are good for ground water recharge, but untimely rains delay the sowing process of potato, which commences in last weekend of January.
