Udhagamandalam : Getting ready to host the  2019 Annual Floral  Carnival (AFC)  spread over five days from May 17,the Government Botanical Garden in Ooty is now desperately in need of a few good showers to render the surroundings verdant.

With just a few weeks left  for the AFC which is long considered the piece de resistance of the summer tourist season in this vacation destination the authorities concerned are keeping their fingers crossed hoping that the skies will open up over the next few days.

Usually this hill station goes by the saying “March winds and April Showers bring forth the May rains”.However with the winds  being conspicuous by their absence so far this month there is an air of suspense hovering over the expected showers and rains of April and May respectively.

Meanwhile the main lawn of the garden which was bruised and battered by the steadily increasing inflow of tourists particularly during the weekends has been cordoned off in a bid to help it recover.Being the most attractive part of the GBG covering about  55 acres,the lawn sprawling just beyond the threshold is usually a sight to behold. However now due to lack of adequate rains and poor maintenance it is wearing an unhealthy look.

With the lawn being made out of bounds to tourists, atleast for a few days,it is hoped that its appearance will  improve.

All eyes are also on the flower beds in different parts of the garden.Usually the planting pattern is planned in such a manner that the flowers start blooming around the middle of April and the entire garden breaks into a riot of colours by early May.If the weather turns favourable the garden can be expected to provide a feast to the eyes.