Mangaluru
Heavy rainfall during the first four days of August has brought significant relief to the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, with both recording above-normal rainfall and narrowing their monsoon deficits.
According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), Dakshina Kannada received 270 mm of rain between August 1 and 4, against the normal 153.2 mm, marking a 76.24 per cent surplus. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast similar rainfall conditions over the coming week.
Dakshina Kannada had recorded a severe 57.42 per cent rainfall deficit in June. Improved rainfall in July reduced the monthly deficit to 18.47 per cent. However, from June 1 to August 4, the district received 1,669.6 mm against the normal 2,313.1 mm, leaving a cumulative deficit of 27.82 per cent.
Udupi has also witnessed a sharp turnaround. The district received 275 mm of rainfall between August 1 and 4, compared with the normal 171 mm, registering a 61 per cent surplus. The district had ended July with a 39 per cent deficit after recording a 50 per cent shortfall in June.
Despite the recent improvement, Udupi has received 1,891 mm of rainfall against the normal 2,725 mm since the beginning of the monsoon, leaving a cumulative deficit of around 31 per cent.
Hakladi in Kundapur taluk recorded 189 mm of rainfall during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 a.m. on August 4, the highest in Karnataka. Agumbe recorded 170 mm, while Shirthady in Dakshina Kannada received 133.5 mm.
Several locations in Udupi also recorded heavy rainfall, with Hebri and Hengavalli-Amparu receiving more than 170 mm.
The recent spell has replenished rivers, reservoirs and groundwater in the coastal region. However, weather experts said the next two to three weeks will be crucial in determining whether the districts can completely overcome their seasonal rainfall deficits.