Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, May 18: The pre-monsoon rain period is set to end in May. This year, the coastal region has experienced a 13% deficit in pre-monsoon rains.

It was initially predicted that the coastal districts of Karnataka would receive their usual pre-monsoon rains. However, cloud formation did not occur as expected. Typically, Dakshina Kannada district receives 123 mm of rain from March 1 to May 15, but this year it only received 79 mm, resulting in a 36% shortfall. Udupi recorded 67 mm instead of the usual 74 mm, indicating a 10% deficit.

Overall, pre-monsoon rains did not meet expectations in both coastal districts, with a shortfall of 61%. With only 12 days left in May, it is likely that this trend will continue.

According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), all taluks in Dakshina Kannada experienced a deficit in rainfall this year. Beltangady saw a 31% deficit, Bantwal 63%, Mangaluru 43%, Puttur 36%, Sullia 13%, Moodbidri 8%, Kadaba 48%, Mulky 14%, and Ullal 8%. In contrast, Kundapur received 24% more rain than usual, Kaup 32% more, and Hebri 11% more than the usual pre-monsoon rains.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that the monsoon will arrive earlier than expected this year, with anticipated rainfall levels. The monsoon is expected to reach the coastal region of Karnataka in the last week of May. Last year, the monsoon arrived on June 10, bringing heavy rain initially, but the amount decreased subsequently, resulting in a 19% deficit in monsoon rains overall.

Moderate rains continued in Dakshina Kannada on Friday, mostly affecting rural areas. Mangaluru city experienced light drizzle with overcast conditions throughout the day, and some parts received light rain at night. Sullia and Subramanya received significant amounts of rain. An orange alert was declared for May 19 and 20, but the IMD has since downgraded it to a yellow alert.