12 degree dip in temperature following rains in the region

Showers also reduce fears of forest fires in Reserve forests

Rainfall in the last three days has resulted in a four to 12 degree Celsius dip in temperature in the region, according to experts.

V S Prakash, Director of Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Committee said that the temperatures which were 34 degree Celsius during 2.30 pm on Friday (April 11), was around 22 degree Celsius on Saturday, in Mysore. He said that said that rainfall in the region was expected to continue for the next two days. 

“Rainfall during the past few days has been concentrated in Southern parts of Karnataka, owing to a convective system which was active in the Arabian Sea. The system is now passing through Kerala and Mysore region, resulting in rainfall,” he said. 

While rainfall was fairly widespread in Mysore district on Friday, similar rainfall was recorded in Chamarajanagar on Saturday. “The forecast is that the rainfall will continue in Mysore, Mandya, Kodagu and Chamarajanagar in the next two days.

Kodagu and parts of Mysore district adjoining Kodagu might receive fairly widespread rainfall on Monday,” he said. Convective system, he said, was a regular phenomenon during summer. Prakash also said that 22 districts received rainfall on Friday, with Mysore recording the maximum downpour.

Rain relief

With rainfall reported in various parts of the region, Forest department personnel have heaved a sigh of relief. Parts of Bandipur and Nagarahole National Parks were recently ravaged by forest fires, during which more than 1,500 acres of forests were gutted.

“With the region receiving rainfall from the past few days, any fire during the summer is unlikely,” H C Kantharaju, Director of Bandipur Tiger Reserve said. “Rains usually put an end to the fire problem,” he added. The rains have also provided a temporary relief for scarcity of water inside the Reserve.

Forest department used to employ two tractors to refill tanks inside the National Park to provide water in regions where there was no water for animals. With the rains, few tanks and crevices inside the park have been filled, providing ample water for animals inside the park, said Kantharaju.

The reserve, which has 282 tanks inside the limits, will not face any shortage of water at least for the next fortnight, he added.