There has been a steep fall in tea production following the failure of South West monsoon and poor rainfall, according to sources in Upasi-Krishik Vigyan Kendra at Coonoor.

The decline has led to the closure of the factory and the leaves were being diverted to other units of the factory. As a result, the lives of the workers, heavily dependent on Indco, which raises tea in about 1,500 acres, were under serious threat, they said.

The harvest of green leaf during August was reportedly 35,000 kg, compared to 1.48 lakh kg during the corresponding period last year and 2.11 lakh kg the year before, they said. The situation got further accentuated by strong winds that hit during June and July period, they said.

The vagaries of weather had resulted in damage of young clonal plants leading to loss ofinvestment and resulted in related damage like defoliation of maintenance foliage and die-back of branches in older fields, they said.

Most of the areas in the district, like Kullakomby and Kundah had also been witnessing dry weather conditions, they said.

Even the old seedlings in some areas, which had suffered defoliation, might not survive if the acute dry conditions continued for some more time, the sources said.

The situation further aggravated, following indifferent conditions of soil and lack of shade trees, they said.