Published Jun 29, 2023 | 7:31 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 29, 2023 | 7:31 PM
Heavy rainfall predicted in Karnataka coast for next 10 days. (iStock)
The coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are likely to receive widespread rainfall, with certain areas getting very heavy rain in the next 10 days, the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) has said.
The coastal districts are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall (64.5 mm to 115 mm), with isolated places receiving very heavy rains (up to 244.4 mm) during the period, a KSNDMC release said.
Thunderstorms with lightning are also likely to occur at isolated places over all the districts of coastal Karnataka.
Heavy rains in coastal areas may coincide with high tide, resulting in waterlogging and flooding of low-lying areas.
District administrations have been asked to deploy de-watering pumps and other equipment in such areas in advance to handle the situation if needed.
The monitoring centre also asked the administrations to station personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state DRF in vulnerable areas, ready to prevent any mishap.
The meteorological department has also asked fishermen not to venture into the sea as it predicts squally weather with wind speeds reaching 45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph, along the Karnataka coast till 2 July.
High waves in the range of 3-3.2 metres are also predicted, with current speeds varying between 42 cm and 57 cm per second.
Malnad, coastal, and North Karnataka recorded a rainfall deficit in June, while South Karnataka recorded more than double the usual rain in the same period.
On 26 June, the KSNDMC said, “The state is likely to receive widespread moderate to heavy rains. Very heavy rains [are] likely over coastal Karnataka, scattered with very light to moderate rains [are] likely over Malnad and North Karnataka, and light rains [are] likely over South Karnataka for the next few days.”
Though the monsoon arrived in the state on 10 June, the state recorded only 113.5 mm of rainfall in the first 25 days of the month, against the usual average of 152.4 mm.
This amounts to a 25.52 percent deficit of rainfall, according to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).
It said: “The Malnad region recorded 107.2 mm rainfall against the traditional rainfall of 265.8 mm. It accounts for a 60 percent rain deficit in the Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu districts.”
The KSNMDC added: “The coastal region recorded a 53 percent rain deficit in June. It received 289 mm of rainfall against the normal rain of 618.5 mm. In North Karnataka, the rainfall deficit is 6 percent. It received a rainfall of 76.3 mm against the traditional rainfall of 81.5 mm.”
The centre also said: “South Karnataka recorded 103 percent of excess rainfall. It recorded a rainfall of 116.2 mm against the normal rainfall of 57.3 mm in June.”
Among the districts, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada recorded 52 percent and 54 percent, respectively, rain deficit in June.
Shivamogga and Kodagu recorded a rain deficit of 74 percent and 70 percent, respectively, in the same period.
Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Haveri, and Bidar also recorded rain deficits.
(With PTI inputs)
