Dry spell? State witnesses 21 per cent deficit rains so far
- Halfway through monsoon, the State has 21 per cent deficit in rains
- Meteorological predictions are turning wrong
- Farmers have tilled the lands and are waiting for rains
FollowIt is one month since monsoon has stepped into the State but there is a deficit of 21 per cent rain than usual. The predictions by the meteorological experts that the monsoon would be good this year has turned wrong. As per the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), from June 1 to July 11, the State should have received an average rainfall of 294 mm. But the rainfall received is only 233mm. Hence in the beginning of monsoon itself a deficit of 21 per cent has been recorded said KSNDMC scientists, reports Kannada Prabha.
They also predicted that the monsoon will continue to be weak as there are no indications of heavy rains in the next four to five days. After five days, there may be a change and if any changes occur due to depression, it may have a positive effect on rainfall, the scientist, reports Kannada prabha quoting Dr Gavaskar.
The deficit is less noticed in the North Karnataka interior region and more in the interior Malnad and coastal regions. The deficit is highest of 44 per cent in the interiors of Dakshina Kannada. In Malnad region it is 34 per cent and in coastal region it is 14 per cent. In the north Karnataka the deficit is only 8 per cent in the interior regions.
The Weather Department figures are calculated for the month and in June the total deficit in the State is four per cent and in July till 12, it is 20 per cent, according to Dr Sundar Metri director of Bengaluru Metrology Department. Going by the regions, while the coastal regions recorded a deficit of 4 per cent, the north interior regions received an excess of 26 per cent rainfall than usual. In south interior regions, an average of 23 per cent deficit is recorded. Till July 12, deficit in coastal region is 14 per cent and in north interior one per cent excess rain is recorded. In South interior 38 per cent deficit is recorded.
District Wise statistics show that though the north interior has received good rainfall, Gadag, Dharwad and Haveri have received less than average rains. In south interior, despite 38 per cent deficit, Kolar and Ballari districts have received good rainfall. The lowest rainfall recorded is at Chamarajanagar.
KSNDMC scientist Dr Gavaskar says in the absence of depression and surface storm necessary for good monsoon, rainfall is not as per predictions. After the onset of monsoon, depression and surface storm should occur over Bay of Bengal, Lakshadweep and Arabian Sea, which will result in good rainfall. In the current year, lack of this has caused weak monsoon. There is a hope of depression in the next 4 to 5 days said Dr Sundar Metri. The rain bearing clouds with - 16 to -18 degree temperature are not moving towards the State. Hence the shortage in rainfall he said, reported Kannada Prabha.
The farmers have tilled and kept the farm ready for sowing. Since paddy needs more water farmers can sow paddy only if there is good rain otherwise they want to sow millet. However, in the south interior and Malnad regions, the rainfall is not sufficient even for millet crop. In the north Karnataka, farmers have already planted cotton, sunflower, tur dal and black gram but they are already drying up for lack of water. If there is no rain within a week, the crops will dry up. It is the same situation in south interior also, reports Kannada Prabha.
