BENGALURU: There could be some initial hiccups in the onset of monsoon in Karnataka. It may arrive in the state on May 31, two days later than forecast earlier, as a “depression being formed” in the Bay of Bengal is likely to delay it, according to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre.
“We had earlier predicted that the monsoon would arrive on May 29, but now it may arrive on May 31,’’ KSNDMC director Srinivas Reddy said on Friday.
If the “depression” intensifies, it will affect the monsoon arrival as clouds tend to move towards Sri Lanka, Reddy said. The depression has to weaken for the south-westerly winds to bring rainfall, he said.
However, the state received good pre-monsoon rains this year, compared to last time. “Between January 1 and May 26, the state should receive 113 mm rainfall. We have received 108 mm which is considered normal,’’ Reddy said.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted a 96 per cent rainfall this year which is normal, its regional director Sundar Metri said.