Downpour brings some succour to drought-hit State

 The drought-hit State has every reason to heave a sigh of relief, with widespread moderate rains in the last couple of days.

The showers are expected to continue for the next one week at least. There is nothing unusual about the State receiving rains during this period, say experts.

The upper air cyclonic trough formed between Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea over Karnataka is bringing the rains, according to G S Srinivas Reddy, Director of the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Cell.

He said the south-west monsoon officially concluded on September 30. The withdrawal of monsoon, which yields rains, begins after eight to 10 days. The north-east monsoon starts later.

Asked whether the State had overcome the drought situation, Reddy said, “The State has faced deficit rain of -21 per cent. The hydrological drought is severe. The water level in major reservoirs is just 54 per cent. Still, the present rains, which can be termed as good and widespread, are going to help sowing activities. We are expecting more rains. The water table will increase.”

It is not just Karnataka which is receiving good rains. Other states in South India are also getting rains.

Reddy said that there was no flood-like situation, despite the catchment areas of Bennihalla river in Dharwad district receiving heavy showers. Usually, there is three mm rain during this season. But the actual rain received was 180 mm. It is north Karnataka which is receiving better rain than the south. On Sunday too, Dharwad district received heavy rains due to thunderstorm activities.

The coastal districts also have reasons to be happy because of the sufficient rains received in the last few days.

Bengaluru drenched

On Sunday, Bengaluru Urban district received more than 50 mm of rain, considered rather heavy. The condition is likely to continue for at least the next couple of days, according to Srinivas Reddy.