Date:12/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/12/stories/2006091218130100.htm

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Drought forces villagers to migrate to cities

D. Sreenivasulu

Unending dry spell cripples agriculture in many parts of Kurnool district

CAUGHT IN DROUGHT WOES: A group of families leaving Pedda Hothur in Kurnool district for Bellary in search of work. - Photo: U. Subramanyam

KURNOOL: Unprecedented drought in parts of Kurnool district has had a telling effect on the labour market in distant Bangalore. As half-starved families migrated in big groups to Bangalore searching for work, daily wages tumbled to Rs. 70 from Rs. 150 a few years ago.

A week ago, about a dozen families returned to Hothur, near Alur, after they failed to get work in Bangalore. They bought tickets for the return journey by selling rice and other provisions they had taken along with them.

Hoping for rain

About a third of the families have deserted every village in the Aluru, Adoni and Pathikonda Assembly segments. The remaining are getting ready to leave after Dasara. The faint hope of rain at the fag end of the season is holding them back. The unending dry spell in July, August and till now in September has crippled the agriculture sector. Aluru received rainfall of 56 mm till the second week of September as against 300 mm resulting in 80 per cent shortfall.

Migration, which is referred to as `suggi' in local parlance, began early this year. Usually, it begins after harvest as families leave to earn some extra income in cities.

A drive on the 25-km dusty track between Aspari and Aluru resembles a journey through a hot desert in midsummer. Normally, the entire black cotton soil is covered with sunflower, groundnut and coriander crops. Now, the fields are empty and dry. CPI(M) divisional convener Rambhim Naidu says the party has dropped the plan to hold a meeting on the `anti-people' policies of the Government as they are doubtful about mobilising the crowd.