August rains last hope for thirsty Karnataka, drought looms

The statistics from the Indian Meteorological Department is an indication that Karnataka, which faced back-to-back droughts, may witness the same if August also fails to get good spells.

According to the report, out of 503mm actual rainfall from June to August 4, Karnataka has received only 376mm - a deficit of 25 per cent.

"July month rainfall was not encouraging as Karnataka received only 174.2mm actual rainfall. The normal rainfall for the month is 274.3mm. There by a deficit is about 36 per cent," said Sundar Metri, Director, Indian Meteorological Department.

However, the upper air cyclonic pressure over the Northern Interior of Karnataka West has given some good news. Due to this weather system, the coastal districts, Belgavi and Dharwad have got some good spells.

"There are chances of wide spread rainfall in the entire coastal region. Districts in the coastal belt can expect 'heavy rainfall' to 'very heavy rainfall'  for next two days. In the South Interior Karnataka, in the Cauvery basin from Coorg to up to Hoggkanekal, there is a possibility of 'fairly wide spread' rainfall,"  he said.

He said the rainfall in Chamrajnagar, Hassan Coorg, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan, where the Cauvery river and its tributaries run, might witness some good spells.

Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewage Board chief says the department, which usually gets 1.5 TMC of water from the KRS and Kabini dam, has stopped receiving water over the past two weeks. 

"After September, the board will draw a water distribution chart for the next nine months. August rains looks very encouraging and if the same continues we may not run into the risk of water shortage," said Kemparamaiah, Engineer In Chief, BWSSB.

• Karnataka
• Rainfall
• Monsoon