NE monsoon deficient in Bengaluru; cyclone expected to bring rain 

Bengaluru Urban has recorded a 47% deficiency in the northeast monsoon during the period between October 1 and November 27. This is in stark contrast with the 6% deficiency in rainfall during this period in Karnataka, and the third-highest deficiency overall in the State.

Districts in North Interior Karnataka had the biggest negative departures. Bagalkote recorded the highest deficiency, with 53%, followed by Haveri with 50%. Vijayapura and Kalaburagi followed Bengaluru Urban with -46% and -45% departures. 

On the other hand, many districts also saw a large excess in rainfall. Bidar recorded the highest excess of 67% rainfall, followed by Kolar with 60%, and Hassan with 50%, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru. 

Rain expected 

However, C.S. Patil from IMD Bengaluru said the deep depression over Sri Lanka has turned into a cyclonic storm, and rain is expected for the next few days over parts of South Interior Karnataka. Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru South, Tumakuru, Kolar, and Chickballapur are expected to receive heavy rain. 

Cyclonic storm Ditwah over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka coast and the depression (remnant of cyclonic storm “Senyar”) over the Strait of Malacca are expected to bring rains.

About cyclonic storm Ditwah over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka coast, the IMD bulletin on Thursday said, “The deep depression over southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka coast moved north-northwestwards, intensified into the cyclonic storm Ditwah and lay centered at 11.30 hrs IST of November 27 over the same region close east of Pottuvil (Sri Lanka), about 90 km south-southeast of Batticaloa (Sri Lanka), 120 km northeast of Hambantota (Sri Lanka), 200 km south-southeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 610 km south-southeast of Puducherry (India) and 700 km south-southeast of Chennai (India).”

“It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards across southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lanka coast and reach over southwest Bay of Bengal off North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts by early morning of November 30,” it said.

“The deep depression (remnant of cyclonic storm “Senyar”) over the Strait of Malacca moved nearly eastwards, weakened into a depression and lay centred at 11.30 hours of November 27 over the same region about 200 km south of George town (Malaysia), 380 km east-southeast of Kuta Makmur (Indonesia), 880 km east-southeast of Nancowry (Nicobar Islands) and 1020 km southeast of Car Nicobar (Nicobar Islands). “It is very likely to move nearly eastwards and weaken further into a well marked low pressure area during next 12 hours,” the bulletin added.

Rain is expected over parts of South Interior Karnataka from November 28, and Coastal and North Interior Karnataka from November 29 and continue till December 3.