Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 8: Heavy rainfall during the first four days of August has significantly improved the monsoon situation in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, with both recording well above-normal rainfall. While Udupi has effectively wiped out its rainfall deficit, Dakshina Kannada (DK) has substantially narrowed its shortfall, raising hopes of a strong monsoon recovery if the current weather pattern continues over the coming weeks. Hakladi in Kundapur taluk recorded the highest rainfall in Karnataka at 189 mm during the last 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on August 4.
During August 1 to 4, Dakshina Kannada received 270 mm of rainfall against the normal 153.2 mm, registering 76.24 per cent excess rainfall, according to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the district's average daily rainfall reached 100.6 mm, slightly higher than the corresponding period in recent years, and similar rainfall is expected over the coming week.
After recording a severe 57.42 per cent rainfall deficit in June, Dakshina Kannada witnessed improved rainfall in July, reducing the monthly deficit to 18.47 per cent. However, the district has still received 1,669.6 mm of rainfall against the normal 2,313.1 mm between June 1 and August 4, leaving an overall deficit of 27.82 per cent. Weather experts said the next two to three weeks will be crucial in determining whether the district can completely recover from the shortfall.
Udupi district too witnessed a dramatic turnaround following continuous heavy rainfall over the past 36 hours. The district, which had been facing a 39 per cent rainfall deficit at the end of July after recording a 50 per cent deficit in June, received 275 mm of rainfall against the normal 171 mm between August 1 and 4, registering 61 per cent excess rainfall.
Despite the recent recovery, Udupi has so far recorded 1,891 mm of rainfall against the normal 2,725 mm, leaving the district with a 31 per cent cumulative deficit compared to the long-term average, according to KSNDMC.
Hakladi in Kundapur taluk recorded 189 mm of rainfall, the highest in Karnataka during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on August 4. Agumbe in Shivamogga district followed with 170 mm, while Shirthady in Dakshina Kannada recorded the highest rainfall in the district at 133.5 mm.
Several places in Udupi district also received heavy rainfall, with Hebri and Hengavalli-Amparu recording over 170 mm, Chittoor, Mala and Nadpalu in Kundapur taluk receiving over 160 mm, while Nada, Molahalli, Neere, Hardalli-Mandalli and Basrur recorded between 140 mm and 160 mm.
The district's average rainfall stood at 104.4 mm, with Kundapur taluk recording 135.6 mm, Hebri 126.2 mm, Karkala 97.7 mm, Byndoor 97.0 mm, Udupi 82.3 mm, Brahmavar 76.6 mm, and Kapu 57.2 mm.
Weather experts said the strong spell of August rain has replenished rivers, reservoirs and groundwater across the coastal region. However, they cautioned that while the recent rains have brought considerable relief, the rainfall received over the coming weeks will determine whether both districts can fully overcome the seasonal deficit and end the southwest monsoon on a positive note.