Karnataka monsoon deficit hits 30%, dry spell to continue

Karnataka's monsoon has weakened sharply, with a 30% rainfall deficit since the season began. The state received only 419 mm of rain, compared to the normal year's average, and nearly 73% of its geographical area recorded no rainfall on Monday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bengaluru has warned that the dry spell will persist for another four to five days, as no weather systems indicate widespread rain soon.

Coastal and Malnad districts, typically among the wettest in August, have seen a sharp decline. IMD Bengaluru head N Puviarasan told Deccan Herald that apart from early August, the last 12-14 days have been very dull. He expects heavy rains in Malnad only from August 22. Udupi's Yadtadi received the highest rainfall of 66.5 mm in the last 24 hours, followed by Agumbe (57.2 mm).

Reservoir levels show a mixed picture. The Krishna basin's Ghataprabha, Almatti and Narayanpur dams are full to capacity. However, KRS reservoir in the Cauvery basin has only 31.27 tmcft of water, or 63% of its capacity, against its total of 49.45 tmcft. Officials are releasing 21,773 cusec from the Cauvery basin, while inflow is just 14,062 cusec. Dakshina Kannada has completed 79.76% of paddy transplantation despite the deficit.