DHNS

Bangalore, May 30: The intense cloud formation over the southern hemisphere near the equator will delay the southwest monsoon over Karnataka by a few more days. 

Even though the State has been experiencing rainfall over the south and the coastal regions, the complete onset of the southwest monsoon is likely to take another five days.

Meteorological Department Director Muthuchami told Deccan Herald that intense cloud formation over the equator to 10 degrees latitude was not allowing the system to move.

“Even then, it is taking place gradually. There is clouding in the southeast Bay of Bengal, and it is moving slowly westward. Once it hits the coast, the monsoon will be revived in two days,” Muthuchami  said.

He also said there was slow progression and even though south Karnataka and the coastal areas were already receiving rainfall, it would increase in the coming days. North Karnataka is expected to receive rain in another three days. Contrary to the popular belief, Cyclone Aila, which wreaked havoc in parts of Orissa and West Bengal, has not affected the onset of the southwest monsoon.

Muthuchami  said though there was rainfall in some parts of the State, the met department models did not allow it to declare the arrival of the monsoon. The numerical weather prediction models of the department indicated that further advance of the monsoon was not likely during the next 4-5 days.