BENGALURU: Nearly a month after the onset of the southwest monsoon, Karnataka, as a whole, recorded a 2% deficit rainfall for June. While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall over most parts of the country in July, it will be normal for Karnataka. In the state, the rainfall will reduce for the next couple of days, before picking up pace.
IMD data showed that from June 1 to July 2, the state received 212.5 mm rainfall as against the normal of 216.5 mm. The normal rainfall for July is 252.2 mm.
The highest deficit of 45% was recorded in Hassan district, where against the normal of 172.4 mm, it received 95.6 mm. The second-highest deficit of 43% was in Haveri. Against the normal of 130 mm, it received 74.3 mm.
The maximum rainfall was reported in Vijayapura district at 136%. It received 216.3mm, against the normal of 91.8 mm. It was followed by Ballari at 127%. Against the normal of 75 mm, it recorded 170.5 mm. Vijayanagara district received 116% rainfall.
Bengaluru Urban recorded a 55% excess rainfall. Against the normal of 77.8 mm, it recorded 119.2 mm. Bengaluru Rural recorded 73% excess rainfall. As against 69 mm, it recorded 119.2 mm.
India Meteorological Department, Bengaluru, Director in charge, N Puviarasan, told The New Indian Express that there is no forecast of cyclone formation for July. The conditions are favourable for the formation of trough and upper air cyclonic circulation. The models are predicting their formation, which will help ensure good rainfall over the state.
Despite the deficit, the rainfall helped increase the reservoir levels to some extent, said officials from the Karnataka State National Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC). The rainfall in catchment areas is now vital to ensure there is sufficient water in the coming months, they added.
As per KSNDMC data, the present storage in the Cauvery basin is 48%. On July 2 last year, it was 31.45 tmcft, while this year, it is 55.31 tmcft. The water level in the Krishna basin is 24%. Levels in the reservoirs as on July 2 is 103.2 tmcft this year, as compared to 72.55 tmcft last year. The water level in Vani Vilas Sagar is 60%. The present storage is 18.13 tmcft against 24.92 tmcft on July 2 last year.