Monsoon likely to be delayed, but will be normal: IMD

The monsoon is likely to be delayed. But farmers in the region need not panic as a normal quota rainfall is predicted this year.

The Southwest monsoon is likely to hit the Kerala coast on June 6 and rains are expected be normal at 96% of the Long Period Average (LPA), from June to September.

Farmers fear that rainfall may fall short as the pre-monsoon was below normal. Mysuru district has recorded 19% less rainfall during pre-monsoon.

Farmers are worried of low yield this year. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted 35 to 50 mm of rainfall in Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts between Saturday and Wednesday.

Mysuru’s normal rainfall between January and mid-May is 140 mm but, this season, the district received only 113.9 mm rainfall. So, the cultivation activities were affected.

Last year, the district had received 15% more rainfall during pre-monsoon season. Except in February, rainfall in other months was below normal. In March, the district suffered 90% less rainfall and 27% in May. In March, the district recorded just 1.2 mm rainfall as against 38.2 mm rainfall in March 2018.

Due to the lack of rainfall, agricultural activities were affected in the region. The cultivation of tobacco was severely affected. This time, it is targeted to cultivate tobacco on 63,700 hectares. But farmers have cultivated only on 670 hectares.

However, the authorities at the Organic Agriculture Research Station (OFRS), in Naganahalli, said that farmers need not panic as this monsoon would be normal.

As per the forecast received from IMD, cloudy sky, light to moderate rainfall is expected from Saturday to Wednesday in parts of the district. The day temperature is expected to be 33 and 35 degree Celsius and night temperature is expected to be 20-22°C.

The relative humidity in the mornings is expected to be 80-86% and afternoon relative humidity is expected to be in the range 25-30%. Wind speed is expected to be 3-4 km per hour.