Vijayanagara, July 6 -- Failure of the southwest monsoon has triggered early migration from several villages in Karnataka's Vijayanagara district, with hundreds of families leaving their homes in search of employment as agricultural activities have come to a standstill.

Loaded with household essentials and belongings, families have begun travelling to other districts and neighbouring states in search of daily wage work. While seasonal migration is common in parts of the district every year, residents say this year's exodus has begun much earlier due to the severe shortage of rainfall.

With cultivation delayed and farm operations virtually halted, local labour opportunities have dried up. Residents also allege that employment under the M...