Good pre-monsoon showers in state; more expected from May 24

Karnataka, which has had two consecutive years of drought, has been receiving good pre-monsoon showers in May. The state may receive widespread rain from May 24.

The state, on the whole, from January to May 20, has received normal rainfall. The average rainfall for the state is 92 mm, while the actual rainfall received was 93 mm, according to Dr G S Srinivasa Reddy, director, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre. Among the four divisions in the state, it is South Interior Karnataka comprising 11 districts which received more than the normal rain from the beginning of May. While the average rainfall for the region is 29 mm, it received 34 mm during this period.

Of the 11 districts in the region, it is Kolar which received the highest rainfall in the past two weeks. The average rain the district receives during this period is 45 mm but it received 87 mm this year. The next highest rainfall was recorded at Ramanagaram district, which received 74% more rains than the average of 72 mm. Both Tumakuru and Davangere districts have been receiving scanty rainfall.

Among the 12 districts in North Interior Karnataka, Ballari and Koppal have received substantial rain. Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Bidar, Vijayapura, Belagavi and Haveri districts have received rainfall 22 to 44 mm below normal, according to Reddy. The average rainfall in the Malnad region consisting of four districts is 137 mm. The region received 2 mm more than the normal. But the three coastal districts have received 85 mm, 12% less than normal.

Reddy said, “The state may receive normal monsoon rains too. While the state witnessed partial drought in the past six years, it was extensive in the past two years.” Asked about when the monsoon may arrive in the state, the director said, “The monsoon rains could hit the state by the end of May itself as it has arrived in the Andamans five days ahead of the schedule.”
DH News Service