The Big Question - Is this an early Monsoon?

The Big Question - Is this an early Monsoon?

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 9, 2014:  Heavy to very heavy rainfall warning in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Shimoga and Chikmagalur and Hassan districts in the next 48 hours, thanks to depression in the Arabian Sea. Very strong winds are expected and fishing boats have been asked not to put out to sea.

 

 

 

Monsoon-like conditions prevailed in coastal Karnataka and malnad areas as pre-monsoon rains continued to lash various parts of Karnataka.  Director B Puttanna,  India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Bangalore, said that moderate to heavy rainfall will continue till Saturday and will reduce from Sunday. The copious  rains brought down the grueling summer temperature at most places over coastal Karnataka and malnad region.

The IMD particularly has advised all deputy commissioners to issue cautionary alerts and take precautionary measures, especially around  all vulnerable areas.  DCs are advised to keep control rooms fully operational and report all incidents. It has further instructed that rescue and relief teams be kept on stand-by for emergency duties.

In coastal Karnataka, widespread rain and thundershowers are predicted at many places in the next three days. The IMD warned fishermen not to venture into open sea along and off Karnataka coast as thunder squalls with wind speed reaching 50-60kmph was likely along and off Karnataka coast during next 24 hours.

As per a news release, Karnataka recorded excess rainfall  between May 2 and 8.   Against normal weighted average rainfall of 13.9mm in south-interior, north-interior, Malnad and coastal parts, state recorded rainfall of 26.6mm - 91% increase. For 24-hours period ending 8.30am on May 8, four geographical regions received 4.9mm actual weighted average rainfall against normal weighted average rainfall of 1.4mm, a 250% surplus departure from normal.

 Chincholi hobli in Chincholi taluk of Gulbarga district recorded maximum temperature of 38.4°C on May 7 at 2pm. Mundgod hobli in Mundgod taluk of Uttara Kannada district recorded lowest minimum temperature of 17.6°C on May 7,  it was stated.

According to the IMD forecast valid till May 11, moderate to heavy and very heavy rain would occur at most places over all the districts of Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka and at many places over the districts of North Interior Karnataka in the next two days. Hence, the unseasonal rain is not expected to be the SW Monsoon which reaches  the Karnataka coast  early in June normally.