Karnataka Prepares for Early Monsoon Onset and Above-Normal Rainfall
Karnataka is anticipating an earlier-than-usual arrival of the Southwest Monsoon this year, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) projecting its onset possibly as soon as May 28th. This advance is coupled with a forecast for above-average rainfall across the state for the season, as pre-monsoon showers and thunderstorms are already being experienced in several districts, including Bengaluru.
Monsoon Expected Ahead of Schedule
The IMD indicates that the Southwest Monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala around May 27th, approximately five days ahead of its normal date of June 1st. "Normally, it takes four days for the monsoon to travel from Kerala to Karnataka. Hopefully, Karnataka will welcome the monsoon by May-end," stated C.S. Patil, a meteorologist at IMD Bengaluru. While meteorological disturbances like troughs or upper-air circulations could potentially delay the onset by a few days to early June, the current outlook points towards an early arrival. This is the earliest projected monsoon onset for the South Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea regions in the past seven years.
Above-Normal Rainfall Anticipated
Forecast models suggest Karnataka is likely to receive approximately 20% more rainfall than the seasonal average. The south-interior and parts of north-interior districts are expected to benefit most from this excess precipitation. Coastal and Malnad regions are also predicted to witness heavy downpours, with other areas generally anticipating above-normal rainfall. Nationally, the IMD projects India will receive rainfall at 104-105% of the long-period average. In the immediate term, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for several parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Udupi, and Belagavi, from May 12th to 16th, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.
The prospect of an early and potentially abundant Southwest Monsoon brings positive news for Karnataka, particularly for its agricultural sector and water resource management. The ongoing pre-monsoon activity and the IMD's optimistic forecast are being closely monitored as the state prepares for the main rainy season.
