147% excess rain in seven days in DK, Udupi not so lucky

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 17, 2016: Dakshina Kannada district has now received excess rainfall between May 10 and 16, according to the KSNDMC, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre.

The records of the weather gauging centers of KSNDMC show that in the last one week,DK district received 147% more rains than the normal. While the normal is 29 mm, the actual rains were 71.6 mm. Kalaburagi district has received the second highest rainfall - 145% more than normal, followed by Uttara Kannada (133%), Dharwad (129%) and Kodagu (121%). Two other districts which have been blessed with good rains are Chikkamagaluru and Belagavi - both 91%.

Asked as to why Dakshina Kannada district is still facing severe water shortage, S S M Gavaskar, scientist at KSNDMC, said, "No doubt the district has received heavy rains in the said period. But, it would take sometime for rivers, channels and water bodies to get water. It should rain for some more days to come to comfortable level. There were no rains in April. But the present rainfall signature is good for the district. It can expect good rains for the next one week," he added.

Gavaskar said that Udupi district is not as lucky as Dakshina Kannada as it has received 66% more rains than the average. Kalaburagi district received 20 mm of rains against the average rainfall of 8 mm during the said period.

"But these rains have not brought much relief to the people because it is like pouring cold water over a hot pan. It is getting evaporated," he added.  The scientist said that Kolar has received poor rains followed by Bengaluru Urban district. However, Bengaluru is expected to get good rains from May 17, Tuesday.

In addition, districts in south interior Karnataka - Chamarajnagar, Mysuru, Kodagu, and Mandya are expected to get widespread heavy rains on May 17 and 18. However, Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Bengaluru urban may get isolated rains.  The influence of existing low pressure over the Tamil Nadu coast would help in getting rains in both the coastal districts, Malnad and many districts in the south. However, districts in north Karnataka may get good showers.  Sources in the KSNDMC said that good rains could be expected this year though the IMD has forecast delay in the onset of monsoons.