Ramanagara rainfall deficit worst, says IMD

Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru: India Meteorological Department (IMD) disclosed that Ramanagara, Kodagu and Kolar districts received the most deficient rainfall.

Scientists at the weather department added that Ramanagara had received minus 40 per cent rainfall while Kodagu and Kolar recorded minus 38 per cent and minus 24 per cent respectively, adding that the figures were for cumulative rainfall for the monsoon season.

It has to be noted that the volume of rainfall regarded as “normal” varies for different districts.

The disclosure comes in the backdrop of IMD forecasting “below average” rainfall for August and September.

Back in June, Karnataka had received scant rainfall because the extremely severe cyclone Biparjoy had carried away moisture-laden winds from the state.

July had witnessed a recovery of sorts with plentiful rains in parts of the state but the wet spell lost intensity in August.

“Ramanagara, Kodagu and Kolar received deficient rainfall,” an IMD scientist said.

“Kodagu stands at minus 38 per cent. Kolar stands at minus 24 per cent. Ramanagara is the worst actually, at minus 40 per cent,” he added, pointing out that there was concern because of IMD’s forecast but insisted there was no need to panic as things weren’t that bad.

The other districts that fared badly are Hassan at minus 31 per cent and Chikkaballapura at minus 21 per cent, according to IMD data.

“Our department has forecast below normal rainfall for the month of August but already we have got above average rainfall in some districts,” he said.

The scientist insisted that it was normal to have some monsoons wherein we had below average rainfall.

“Not every year can we have above normal rainfall like years prior. There are going to be seasons where we are going

to have below average rainfall,” he said. He added that September was regarded as the “post-monsoon” season and was expected to witness some showers.