Karnataka monsoon deficit narrows, but June-August rainfall remains 28% below normal
Karnataka has seen a welcome revival of the southwest monsoon over the past week, bringing relief to several regions, particularly the Cauvery basin. However, data from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) shows that the cumulative rainfall between June 1 and August 4 remains significantly below normal, with a departure of -28%.
According to KSDMA figures, the state recorded 357 mm of rainfall against the normal 506 mm for the period, a shortfall of 149 mm. While the monsoon season runs from June to September, the first four days of August saw robust rainfall – 49 mm against a normal of 35 mm, a departure of +39%. This recent spell, however, has only partially offset the earlier deficits.
In June, Karnataka received 116 mm against the normal 199 mm, a deficit of 42%, which is classified as a large deficiency. July fared slightly better with 192 mm against the normal 271 mm, a shortfall of 29%, placing it in the 'normal' category as per standard classifications. Despite this, the cumulative rainfall for the season so far falls under the deficit category, according to KSDMA.
Regional variations are stark. South Interior Karnataka recorded 93 mm against a normal of 157 mm, a deficit of 40%. North Interior Karnataka received 180 mm against 236 mm, a deficit of 24%. The Malnad region saw 686 mm against a normal of 1,028 mm, a deficit of 33%, while the coastal region received 1,618 mm against a normal of 2,114 mm, a deficit of 23%. These figures highlight that even traditionally rain-rich areas have experienced below-average rainfall.
At the district level, only four districts – Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Belagavi, and Uttara Kannada – received normal rainfall during this period. The remaining 26 districts, including Raichur, Yadgir, Bidar, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Tumakuru, Udupi, Chitradurga, Gadag, Chikkamagaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Shivamogga, Kalaburagi, Bengaluru South, Dharwad, Kodagu, Mandya, Chickballapur, Koppal, Davangere, Ballari, Bengaluru Urban, Haveri, Chamarajanagar, Kolar, and Mysuru, recorded deficit rainfall. Vijayanagar district experienced a large deficit. At the taluk level, 163 taluks reported deficit rainfall, 14 recorded large deficits, and 54 received normal rainfall.
While the recent heavy downpours have eased immediate concerns, especially for water-stressed regions, agricultural experts note that the cumulative shortfall could impact kharif sowing and reservoir levels if the monsoon does not sustain its momentum through August and September. The state government, through the KSDMA, continues to monitor the situation, advising farmers to follow weather updates and plan accordingly.
The monsoon's performance in the coming weeks will be critical, as the deficit in the Cauvery basin and other catchment areas needs to be bridged to ensure adequate water storage for drinking and irrigation needs. Authorities have also underscored the importance of district-level preparedness, as some regions remain vulnerable to both deficits and potential flooding from intense rainfall.
