Monsoon in state will steady after Biparjoy: IMD

Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has determined that the conditions are now favourable for the advancement of monsoon in Karnataka after cyclone Biparjoy made landfall on Thursday evening near Jakhau Port in Gujarat’s Kutch region. Scientists at the weather department said that Biporjoy, which is now fading into a depression, had been a severe cyclonic storm which carried away moisture-laden winds, leaving Karnataka mostly dry.

However, conditions were now favourable from Saturday to Wednesday next week, they said. It is to be noted that the South West Monsoon (SWM) arrived in Karnataka on June 10 and progressed to the north of the state by June 12.

“The progress (of monsoon) has been stalled. We are expecting revival between 17 and 21st (June),” IMD scientist A Prasad said, calling the conditions prior to this “unfavourable”. “The wind strength is not there. The westerly winds didn't establish because of the Biparjoy, which had been a very severe cyclonic storm. It has carried away all the moisture and changed the circulation patterns a little bit,” he added.

“Moisture incursion has to happen. It has rained there. So the sea circulation has become a little bit colder. So again, due to insulation, again it has to warm up. Then cross-equatorial flow will improve and westerly winds will strengthen. These conditions are expected between 17 and 21st,” Prasad said, adding that prima facie, there were indications that the last week of June would bring “above average” rainfall to most districts in Karnataka. The scientist said that monsoon had arrived a week late this year, adding that “normal” monsoon was expected this time around.

The average monsoon rainfall for Karnataka is 83 cms and IMD expects it to be within 19 per cent of that figure this season. He said that there had been “record” summer showers in 2023, adding that it had been the wettest May since 1967. “It (May 2023) had broken the alltime record of 29 cms of rain, which happened in 1967” Prasad said, adding that the previous month had received 30 cms of rain and Bengaluru alone had received 13 cms.