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Southwest monsoon fails South

Last Updated 20 August 2015, 20:14 IST

The Southwest Monsoon, which is nearing the final stage, might be good in North and North-East India. However, it is not so kind as should when it comes to the Southern region.

Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have received deficit rainfall.
The latest statistics released by the Regional Meteorological Centre here on Thursday said though few districts received normal rain, Tamil Nadu registered three per cent deficit rainfall while in Karnataka it was minus 24 per cent.

The data, which was taken from June 1 to August 18, 2015, further said Kerala, which normally receives excess rainfall during the season, recorded deficit of minus 12 per cent.  In case of Andhra Pradesh, the deficiency is much higher than its neighbours. It received a deficit rainfall of about 40 per cent.

A senior Met official said the Southwest monsoon sets in over the extreme southwestern tip of the peninsula by the end of May. The onset of Monsoon is characterised by a sudden spurt of rainfall.  It progresses inland in stages and covers the entire country by the middle of July.

The official, however, said due to unpredictable aspect of the rainfall pattern this time, southern states got little rain. “Still, few weeks are left for the withdrawal of Southwest Monsoon. Therefore, rain may occur during this period,” he said.

The Met department findings further indicate that in Tamil Nadu 25 out 32 districts received poor rainfall with Chennai.

Though, Tamil Nadu is considered as a rain shadow region during Southwest Monsoon as it lies on the eastern (leeward side) side of Western Ghats, Theni and Coimbatore received excess rainfall of 147 and 98 per cent respectively.

In Karnataka, baring few districts that received normal rain, Raichur topped the list by getting deficit rainfall of minus 66 per cent. However, Mysuru received excess of 20 per cent. During the last one week, certain region in Karnataka including Kalaburgi, Shivamogga, Udupi and Koppal received good rainfall.

But the picture in Kerala looks grim. All 14 districts of in the state received deficit rainfall with Pathanamthitta heading with minus 40 per cent.

Interestingly, in Andhra Pradesh, certain dry districts, which get rain only during Northeast Monsoon, received excess rainfall this season.

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(Published 20 August 2015, 20:14 IST)

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