The South-West monsoon has been a letdown so far. A look at 40 years’ cumulative rainfall pattern in the first 10 days of June shows a rainfall deficit of 68 per cent this year.
According to data obtained from Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC), the state’s normal weighted average rainfall between June 1 and 11 is 55.8 mm, while it has received only 17.6 mm so far. Places like Bangalore (urban), Ramanagaram, Mandya, Davangere in south interior Karnataka and Haveri, Koppal and Raichur of north interior Karnataka are severely hit with a deficit of 90 per cent.
“The vigour is missing and there is a lack of precipitation. The situation is not likely to turn normal till early next week. The typhoon, which was active during the start of monsoon, has affected it and counter effect is that it has failed to pick-up moisture,” said V S Prakash, Director of KSNDMC.
Crop loss is expected to mount if the situation persists. “Though it is too early to predict how the monsoon would fare during its full course, we will continue with our previous year’s disaster management plan to mitigate losses,” V S Prakash added.
Dr K Narayana Gowda, vice-chancellor at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, says that though the kharif crop may not be hit, production in the Hunsur-Belgaum belt, where there is dual crop pattern, is likely to be affected.
He also noted that with the water level in the Krishnaraja Sagar dam receding to a 40-year low, sugarcane and paddy production in Mandya and neighbouring districts could be hit.
The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted rain/thundershowers at many places over coastal Karnataka and Kerala for the next week.