Agricultural activities across HD Kote taluk in Hampapura have been severely disrupted by the absence of expected rainfall and rising temperatures, leaving farmers and agricultural laborers in distress. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius in the Hampapura region, making fieldwork increasingly challenging for workers. Local farmer Mahadevappa stated that the lack of rain during the critical sowing period has caused a water shortage, hindering winter crop preparation and land readiness. He expressed anxiety over whether the investment in crops will be recovered if the rains do not arrive, noting that the intense heat has replaced the anticipated monsoon showers.
The unseasonal heat has forced agricultural laborers to alter their working hours to avoid health risks. While workers previously operated from 10 am to 5 pm, many now begin their day at 7 am and finish by 2 pm to complete tasks during the cooler morning hours and escape the midday heat. This shift is necessary because working in the fields during peak heat is physically exhausting and requires frequent breaks. Hundreds of families in the rural areas of HD Kote taluk depend entirely on agricultural labor for their livelihood, and the current conditions have made it difficult to sustain long working hours.
Due to the stagnation in agricultural activities, job opportunities have decreased, prompting many laborers to migrate temporarily to Chamrajnagar, Kodagu, and Kerala in search of wage work. The weather and health department guidelines advise workers to reduce physical labor during peak heat, drink sufficient water, rest in the shade, and cover their heads. Taluk Health Officer T. Ravikumar advised that if symptoms such as headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, or weakness appear, workers should immediately stop work, rest in a shaded area, and contact the nearest health center if necessary. Lakshmamma, a female agricultural laborer from Hampapura, noted that it is now difficult to stand in the fields during the afternoon, necessitating breaks for water and shade.