After a deficient June, southwest monsoon gets active over most of Karnataka 

Rainfall in Karnataka has picked up in July, with flooding reported in coastal, Malnad, and northern districts. IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rain in coastal Karnataka and light rain in Bengaluru. Rainfall is normal in coastal and North-interior Karnataka, and expected to become normal in South-interior Karnataka soon. Six districts in South-interior Karnataka showed a shortfall in July, while 14 districts showed deficient rainfall from June 1 to July 23. IMD forecasts rain at most places in Karnataka in the next 48 hours.

After a rain-deficient June, rainfall across Karnataka has picked up. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday said the southwest monsoon was active over the State.

There was rain in most places of coastal Karnataka and South-interior Karnataka and at many places over North-interior Karnataka, stated the IMD summary of observations. There have been reports of flooding in coastal, Malnad, and northern districts.

“Rainfall has been picking up over the last few days across the State. Rainfall in the State is normal over coastal Karnataka and North-interior Karnataka and within a few days, it will become normal in South-interior Karnataka also,” said A. Prasad, scientist, IMD, Bengaluru.

During June, there was 56% shortfall (87 mm rainfall as against a normal of 199 mm). “As of now, there is no shortfall, everything is normal. June started off with a deficiency of 74% and it went on to 68%, 65%, and so on,” Mr. Prasad added.

As per the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre data on district-wise rainfall patterns recorded between July 1 and 23, six districts in South-interior Karnataka showed a shortfall. They are Ramanagara (33% deficiency), Kolar (50%), Chickballapur (31%), Chamarajanagar (37%), Mysuru (27%), and Mandya (41%).

Likewise, the cumulative rainfall data from June 1 to July 23 showed two districts received excess rainfall, normal rainfall was recorded in 15 districts and deficient rainfall in 14 districts. When this longer period is taken into account, the districts which have deficient rainfall are Ramanagara (42%), Chickballapur (24%), Chamarajanagar (33%), Mysuru (32%), and Mandya (29%) in South- interior Karnataka; Ballari (34%) and Vijayanagara (23%), Bagalkot (37%), and Vijayapura (23%) in North-interior Karnataka; Shivamogga (31%), Hassan (38%), Chikkamagaluru (41%), and Kodagu (46%) in Malnad region, and Dakshina Kannada (24%) in coastal Karnataka.

Rainfall is considered normal when it varies between +19% and -19% and deficient when it varies between -20% and -59%.