Monsoon to spread to rest of state: IMD official

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday disclosed that conditions were now favourable for the advancement of monsoon winds to the rest of Karnataka. This is in part because of a cyclonic circulation in the east-central Arabian Sea.

Cyclonic circulations refer to the counter clockwise swirling motion of winds (in the northern hemisphere) caused by low pressure areas, which results in rainfall. Monsoon winds had been slow moving for the most part this year, but had made their way to Bengaluru and south interior Karnataka on May 31. IMD scientist A Prasad said that monsoon was likely to cover the rest of the state next week.

“The onset of monsoon is expected in southern parts of north interior Karnataka like Davangere, Chitradurga and nearby areas. Conditions are much more favourable for NLM (Northern Limit of Monsoon) to cover the rest of Karnataka next week,” he said. He added that while the cyclonic circulation would help advance the monsoon winds, it would not have much of an effect on Bengaluru or most other parts of the state since it was located too far to the north. “It may not have much impact on Bengaluru. It will give rainfall to coastal Maharashtra since it (the cyclonic circulation) is up north. What will give Bengaluru rainfall is any trough in the region,” the scientist said.

Trough is a turning of the winds. When the winds are turning in a clockwise direction in a spatial scale, it means that there is moisture incursion happening in that area. He said that it was likely that Bengaluru would get some rainfall in three or four days.

“In Bengaluru, we cannot expect rainfall, not immediately. Maybe, we can expect it on the third or fourth day. Possibility of rainfall is definitely there. It is not ruled out. Bengaluru does not see much rainfall in June. Normal rainfall for June is 7 cm. Already, we’ve had 5 cm. If it exceeds more than 2 cms, it’ll be more than normal. We are expecting more than normal rainfall in Bengaluru,” he added.

Rainy season so far

Prasad said that as of yet, only parts of coastal Karnataka and south interior Karnataka had received monsoon winds, but that was about to change. “As of now, monsoon has advanced to Karwar, Chikkamagaluru, Bengaluru and Pondicherry.

The line goes like that. That’s the Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM). This is the rain belt. “Last week, second, third and fourth (of June), southinterior Karnataka received widespread rainfall. Tumakuru, Ballari, Chittradurga, Davangere, they all received widespread rainfall. Since then, it has been by and large, dry,” he said.

Prasad said coastal Karnataka was likely to receive heavy rainfall in the coming days. “Widespread rainfall is expected for the next five days in coastal Karnataka,” he said.