Though the overcast skies may bring some cheer in anticipation of an intensifying monsoon, heavens have not really opened up as the numbers show a glaring deficit of rainfall in Dakshina Kannada district this year.
According to figures put out by the district administration, the district has received 534.4 mm of rain this year (till 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday) -- nearly 25 per cent less than the rainfall received during the corresponding period last year. The deficit is all the more worrisome when one considers June, which heralds the advent of the monsoon.
Till June 17, 2013, the district had received nearly 515.2 mm of monsoon rains. However, this year, the district, on an average, has received just 262.2 mm or barely half of the rainfall received last year.
While the arrival of the monsoons was declared on June 9, compared to June 5 last year, officials of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said the intensity of the showers war far less than last year.
Among the taluks, Sullia has received the least rainfall this year – 391.4 mm or 42 per cent less than last year – while its monsoon deficit is more than 75 per cent when compared to last year.
Intensifying trendHowever, IMD officials said there were signs of intensifying monsoon which has been “active” over coastal Karnataka. In the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, IMD recorded “very heavy rainfall” of 18 cm in Moodbidri (the highest in the State in the corresponding period); 14 cm at Mangalore International Airport and 13 cm in Karkala.
“Heavy rainfall” was recorded in Panambur and Kollur (12 cm each), Mangalore (11 cm); Mulki, Udupi, Shirali, (10 cm); Kota (9 cm); Belthangady, Dharmasthala, Puttur, Kundapur (8 cm) and Bantwal (7 cm).
For the next three days (till June 20), IMD forecasts rains and thundershowers – involving “moderate” to “rather heavy rains” – at most places over coastal Karnataka.
